[3] It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 2010.

The single plant was examined and collected by the biologist Ken Wood, who rappelled down the cliff to view it.

[3][6] After Hurricane Iniki in 1992 this specimen was absent and feared extirpated.

[4] Biologists are hopeful that more individuals of this "exceedingly rare" and "critically endangered"[3] plant will be located as more of Kauai is surveyed.

[4] The only known specimen of the plant was described as a shrub half a meter tall with oppositely arranged leaves up to 12 centimeters long by 2 wide.