This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Camilla Rose Huxley and Matthew H. P. Jebb in 2019. It is found in eastern Papua New Guinea, growing as an epiphyte with lots of water and some sun. The caudex can grow to 30 centimetres in diameter, eight thick, the entire plant to 45 centimetres in height. The flowers are white to yellow-green while the fruits are red.

The genera name after Greek hydnon meaning 'tuber' and phyton meaning 'plant', after the swollen branches. The species is named for the prominent and persistent calyx remains with their four sharp teeth.