Honohono is a creeping herb most typically observed in damp soils, such as disturbed forest bottoms, lo‘i kalo (taro pondfields), and marshes. The plant occurs naturally here, spreading up from Kawai Nui Marsh.

Honohono has long been regarded by local botanists as a non-native (naturalized) species in Hawai‘i as it was first recorded as collected in 1837. However, archaeological digs on Kaua‘i revealed seeds in fishpond sediment dated to the earliest occupation of the site by Polynesian migrants. The plant was likely introduced as a weed along with kalo.

The presence of identifiable seeds or pollen in sediment layers that can be dated is one way scientists determine the status of plants in the natural landscape. Sediments from Kawai Nui Marsh dated to before the arrival of the Polynesians have been used to describe the ancient flora of O‘ahu, establishing that the dominant tree in the lowlands of the windward side was a lo‘ulu palm.