The relatively thick leaves[1] are glossy green and trifoliate, each leaflet around 5 cm (2 in) long.

There are a number of subspecies and forms: The plant's natural range is the Pacific Ocean coasts of North and South America, and also Hawaii, where it grows mostly on sand beaches above the tidal zone in temperate to warm-temperate regions.

Migratory birds are thought to have dispersed F. chiloensis from the Pacific coast of North America to the mountains of Hawaii, Chile, and Argentina.

Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, the strawberry aphid, is a bug species found to feed on F. chiloensis in Chile.

[4] Its fruit is sold as a local delicacy in some South American produce markets.