[3] Diphasium scariosum has main stems that lie flat along the ground and which spread to more than a meter long.

[4] The first leaf form occurs on the upper leaves of the plant, which are in two alternating rows and have been flattened into one plane.

[7] Diphasium scariosum occurs naturally in the Philippines, New Guinea, Borneo, Australia, New Zealand and the Subanatarctic islands.

[4][5] In New Zealand, Diphasium scariosum is found throughout the North Island but is less common in Northland.

[5][8] Diphasium scariosum is found in coastal to subalpine environments in mossy roadside banks, shrubland and peaty ground.