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

[4] It has a hanging, branching, reddish stem no more than 10 centimetres (3.9 in) long.

When reproducing, the plant produces a branching fruiting spike which may be up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) long.

[4] Today the plant is known from just a few occurrences on the islands of Maui and Hawaii.

[3] Its survival is threatened by habitat damage caused by feral pigs, cattle, and Introduced plant species, as well as its low population.