[3] It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

The leaves have oval blades up to 7 centimeters long by 4.5 wide[5]: 55774  borne on short petioles.

[5]: 55774 This shrub grows in dry or moist forest and shrubland habitat in the Waianae Mountains of Oahu and Nā Pali Coast State Park on Kauai.

It is associated with other plants such as koa (Acacia koa), maile (Alyxia stellata), kookoolau (Bidens torta), lama (Diospyros sandwicensis), aalii (Dodonaea viscosa), and naenae (Dubautia plantaginea).

[3] Threats to this rare species and its habitat include introduced plant species, such as mistflower (Ageratina riparia), silk oak (Grevillea robusta), airplant (Kalanchoe pinnata), lantana (Lantana camara), haole koa (Leucaena leucocephala).