[2][3] Cyrtandra heinrichii is a shrub that usually grows by waterfalls on walls of basalt.

They are also found in shrubland and wet, tropical or sub-tropical forests dominated by Metrosideros.

There are estimated to be between 250 and 1,000 mature individuals left in the declining population, fragmented into 9 subpopulations.

[1] Part of the species range lies within a Natural Area Reserve.

These invasive species compete with lava cyrtandra for resources.