Excoecaria benthamiana is endemic to the Seychelles (two to three locations), and it is found on Mahé and Praslin. It was recorded on Félicité in 1994, however it wasn't found in more recent surveys. It is uncertain if the record on Félicité made by Carlström (1996) is erroneous or if the species went extinct on Félicité during the last 10 years (or is now on the edge of extinction). This species is confined to rocky outcrops, which only represent a small fraction of the islands' habitats. The population is healthy and stable, at least on Mahé and Praslin. It is mainly threatened by its restricted range, however the invasion of alien species, such as Cinnamomum verum and Alstonia macrophylla, may become a threat for the rejuvenation of this species in the future. It  is therefore listed as Vulnerable.

This species is endemic to the Seychelles, and it is found on the two largest islands Mahé and Praslin (Friedmann 1994). The only record on Félicité was by Carlström in 1994 (Carlström 1996). The species was not recorded on this island in a recent survey (Hill 2002). It is very unlikely that the species is present on Félicité (J. Mougal pers. comm. 2006). It is uncertain if the record on Félicité made by Carlström (1996) is erroneous. If this record is correct the species went extinct on Félicité during the last 10 years or is now on the edge of extinction. The area of the three islands is 199 km² (National Statistic Bureau 2005).

The population size is unknown, but the population possibly consists of fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. The population is healthy and stable, at least on Mahé and Praslin.
In 1994, it was recorded in nine out of 73 areas of special conservation value of the granitic islands of Seychelles (Carlström 1996).

Glabrous small tree, up to 5 m tall, with abundant milky sap. It grows on exposed rocky outcrops and in open forest. It disperses only very locally by dehiscing capsules. The species grows mainly at altitudes between 300 m and 650 m asl on exposed rocky outcrops and rarely in moist forests (Carlström 1996).

This species is mainly threatened by its restricted range. The rocky outcrops are not strongly invaded by introduced species (Fleischmann 1997). But the invasion of alien species, such as Cinnamomum verum and Alstonia macrophylla, may become a threat for the rejuvenation of this species in the future.

It is present in Morne Seychellois and the Praslin National Parks.