Parsonsia heterophylla is evergreen soft wooded, twining, branching liana growing up to 10 meters tall. Its stem can be up to 10cm and the branchlets are hairy and reddish brown in colour. Found in wet lowland forests throughout New Zealand from the Three Kings Island to Stewart Island. It is usually found in open habitats, such as bush margins. It bears small white/creamy 6-10mm flowers which have a pervasive perfume.