[1] P. tetraphylla is a low-growing herb with creeping stems, sometimes forming mats.

The leaves are elliptic or round, growing in whorls of 3 to 4, typically green but might also be reddish on the underside.

It grows in wet evergreen forests, often as an epiphyte on top of trees or fallen logs, but can also be found on rocky knolls or among grass by river banks.

[1] The specific epithet tetraphylla is from the Ancient Greek language, meaning "four leaves".

Walker-Arnott after a coastal survey of South America under the command of Captain F.W.