[2] Prior to its rediscovery in September 2016, it was known from two specimens,[3] and declared extinct in 2014.

There are only 13 plants known, on a small renosterveld fragment less than 3 ha (7.4 acres) in size.

[1] Polhillia ignota is found from northern Swartland, between Vredenburg, Eendekuil and Porterville.

[1][5] Polhillia ignota is a large, rounded shrub, up to 1 m in height.

The population is expected to continue to decline due to ongoing threats of habitat degradation and competition from alien invasive plants.