[1] At the time it was discovered there was only one population containing 70 individuals; a 2006 count revealed only ten plants remaining.

[1] This rare plant is apparently limited to a specific type of habitat: windy, misty, north-facing basalt cliffs wet with seeping water.

[2][3] It is possible that it went unidentified as a new species for so long because researchers must climb steep rock cliffs to examine it.

[1] It grows alongside Selaginella arbuscula in the understory of Metrosideros polymorpha and Dicranopteris linearis.

[2][3] The plant can be differentiated from other Cyrtandra in part by its shaggy coat of reddish brown hairs.