It is found only in wet forests at elevations of 2,300–4,200 feet (700–1,280 m) on the island of Molokaʻi in Hawaiʻi.

This green vine's loosely spreading branches often form a large mass.

P. hispida was thought to be extinct in 1997, but two seedlings were found at The Nature Conservancy's Kamakou Preserve in 2005.

Phyllostegia hispida was classified as endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 2009.

P. hispida is the second species to be classified as endangered by the Barack Obama administration.