It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is limited to the island of Kauai.

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

This pink-flowered subshrub grows in moist and wet forest habitat.

[1] There are only two wild individuals known to exist, but more are likely to be growing in habitat not recently surveyed.

[4] The species is threatened by feral pigs, feral goats, rats, introduced species of plants, and overcollection.