Donatia novae-zelandiae forms dense spirals of thick, leathery leaves, creating a hardy plant that typically exists in alpine and subalpine bioclimatic zones.

[3] The perennial plant forms a mat capable of reaching over a meter in diameter, made up of densely packed tufts tipped with imbricated spirals of leaves, all connected by one root system.

[3][5][6][7] Stomata are apparent, running parallel along the main axis on both leaf surfaces, with their guard cells being surrounded by a distinctive circular ridge.

[8] More recent studies find Donatiaceae to be sufficiently different from Stylidiaceae, based on unique anatomical, morphological, and embryological characteristics.

[12] The species likely originated in Tasmania during the Pliocene and Pleistocene eras, when major Australian and New Zealand mountain ranges formed.

A long-distance dispersal event, likely aided by Antarctica brought Donatia novae-zelandiae, along with Stylidiaceae species to New Zealand, where they were pre-adapted for alpine and sub-alpine growth.

The water logging, peat substrate and harsh conditions prevent trees from growing, so these areas become entirely dominated by cushion plants.

[2] The dense interlocking tufts of cushion plants allow them to survive harsh winds and resist freezing temperatures.

As a result of poor nutrient availability and growth focused on density, cushion plants grow slowly, making them vulnerable to disturbance.

[16] The most pronounced population decreases in Donatia novae-zelandiae have been a result of fire, of which the alpine species is rarely subjected to.