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

It has very narrow, threadlike leaves up to 4.5 centimeters long oppositely arranged on the branches.

The plant produces many inflorescences of flowers with green sepals and no petals.

[2] It grows in dry and moist forest habitat, sometimes on cliff faces.

[1] Other plants in the habitat include Schiedea lydgatei (Lydgate's schiedea), Styphelia tameiameiae (pukiawe), Chenopodium oahuensis (’aheahea), Alyxia oliviformis (maile), Dracaena sp.