Maiapilo, also called the native caper, is a low sprawling shrub with some stems that can grow to a length of 15 feet! The fleshy light green leaves are oval-shaped and measure 1 - 2.5 inches . The flowers are fragrant when they bloom after sunset. The bloom consists of a mass of 120-180 stamens and four surrounding white petals that turn pale pink by the following morning. Flowering occurs during the spring and summer. The fruit is an orange oval shaped berry and the fruit pulp has an unpleasant smell.

Maiapilo grows on the costal strands of all main Hawaiian Islands and atolls but is considered near endangered. There are no known traditional uses of the plant, however it is a food source for the rare native Blackburn's Sphinx Moth. Today it is an excellent plant for a xeriscape because it needs little water once established.