This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Elmer Drew Merrill and Lily May Perry in 1945. It is found on Mount Tafa in southern Papua New Guinea, growing as an epiphyte in deep moss or hanging in an up to one meter long root. It receives lots of water and some sun. The caudex can grow to 30 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 50 centimetres in height. The flowers are white 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 its myrtle-like leaves.

It is the home to small red tree frogs; Cophixalus riparius.