The start of the Hiemacene spelled doom for most of the terrestrial flora, such as the Anubia trees and their giant leaves. Being overthrown by the army of moss-towers, holding out in a place where they could never. In the Great Hadrian Desert.
The little interior shrub is descended from the once expansive Anubia trees, forced into the drying desert by a more cold tolerant large plant. It's thick stems becoming woody to retain water. allowing it to support morth weight, letting it not have a couple giant leaves but loads of them. Maximizing photosynthesis without being vulnerable if an animal eats your step.
To defend against animals and water loss, their leaves became thin and sharp. Serrated like a blade to irritate all but the toughest of herbivores from eating it.
Every corner it is present, omnipitent and all knowing... or it's just a common plant. Either way it will soon achieve great things and take back it's throne, but not without a partner.