A. pectinatum is a plant with rigid stems 20 cm long, which grow in small colonies. It has many small leathery leaves which are dark green in colour. It produces small solitary white flowers that grow in the axils of the leaves and bears a small capsule.
This is an Epiphytic species that grows on trees and on rocks in humid, intermediate to high altitude forests.
The species is protected under the forest restoration project and is listed as ‘Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List. Its population is declining due to habitat loss and the invasion of exotic species.
The Latin qualifier "pectinatum" is derived from the word pectinatus – arranged in the shape of a comb. In Mauritius, a sample was collected for the first time in 1822 by Petit-Thouars.