Tetramolopium lepidotum ssp. lepidotum, a short-lived perennial member of the aster family (Asteraceae), is an erect shrub 12 to 36 cm (4.7 to 14 in) tall, branching near the ends of the stems. Leaves are lance-shaped and wider at the leaf tip. This taxon can be distinguished from the other extant species on Oahu by its bisexual disk flowers and its inflorescence of 6 to 12 heads. Two subspecies of Tetramolopium lepidotum are recognized, subsp. arbusculum has linear to filiform leaves and involucre more than 4 mm (0.15 in) high, while subsp. lepidotum has linear-oblanceolate or oblanceolate leaves and involucre less than 4 mm (0.15 in) high.