This species can be recognized within Isertia by its rather smaller leaves and inflorescences, its well developed stipules (generally 15-25 mm long), and its relatively short, pale pink corollas, with the tube 5--13 mm long. It is often overlooked as Isertia, particularly because of its relatively small flowers, but the deeply divided, well developed stipules together with its drupaceous fruits with numerous seeds inside each pyrene identify it a Isertia. This species is locally common in gallery forests and riparian forests, and is found on white-sand substrates. Boom (1984: p. 443) reported the results of pollination studies of this species by Bolten & Feinsinger (1978), including that the flowers are diurnal. fragrant, and visited by both hummingbirds and a variety of insects.
The genus Yutajea Steyerm. was separated from Isertia based on its stamens inserted near the base of the corolla tube and with the anthers basifixed, but its type specimen is actually a diseased plant with abnormal flower development.