The plant is native to the Western Cape, where it is found on the Elim, Bredasdorp and Riversdale plains.

The shrub grows to 2.0 m in height and bears flowers from November to December.

Fire destroys the plant but the seeds survive.

The seeds are stored in a toll on the female plant and are released after a fire and possibly spread by the wind.

The plant grows in limestone soil at elevations of 0–200 m. In Afrikaans it is known as kruiphout.