Leptinella squalida subspecies squalida is endemic to the North, South and Chatham Islands. In the North Island it is uncommon north of the Waikato. It is found in mostly coastal or inland from sea-level to 300 m a.s.l., in open turf, on coastal cliffs, in coastal turf, along river beds or in open grassland and open, damp places within shrubland and lowland forest. In some urban areas it is reported  as a lawn weed. Often found growing with Hydrocotyle heteromeria and H. microphylla. Some forms of L. squalida subsp. squalida have also been gathered from subalpine to alpine habitats in the central North Island.  It is a dioecious, widely creeping, fast-growing perennial herb forming dense monospecific turfs or intermingled with other turf species.  It has rhizomes growing at or near soil surface, that are green, dark green to red-green, with two rows of  bright green or yellow-green leaves. It flowers from August – February.  It grows in semi-shade or shade, moist areas but is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. It is an excellent lawn cover but can be invasive. Very variable, it could benefit from cultivar selection.