It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 1996.

The oppositely arranged leaves have green or purplish blades up to 13 centimeters long by 3.5 wide.

The inflorescence is a hairy cluster of flowers with small green or purple-tinged sepals and no petals.

[2] This plant is now limited to two populations on the island of Kauai, totalling only 12 individuals.

[1] Threats to the species include habitat degradation by feral pigs and introduced species of plants such as Ageratina riparia (Hamakua pamakani), Clidemia hirta (Koster's curse), Clusia rosea (autograph tree), Erigeron karvinskianus (daisy fleabane), Lantana camara (lantana), Psidium guajava (common guava), Heptapleurum actinophyllum (octopus tree), Schinus terebinthifolius (Christmasberry), Rubus rosifolius (thimbleberry), Passiflora mollissima (banana poka), Rubus argutus (prickly Florida blackberry), Drymaria cordata (Pipili), and Paspalum conjugatum (Hilo grass).