This plant has been around for a long time and has been known by different names. At one time, it was considered a species called H. fortunei var. stenantha but this was change by W. George Schmid in his 1991 to the current cultivar status. At times, it has been listed under incorrect names such as H. 'Stenantha' and 'Mackwoods No. 8'.

H. 'Fortunei Stenantha' grows into a large size hosta about 20 inches in height with a spread of 50 inches. The dark green foliage is slightly corrugated, moderately wavy and has good substance. Pale lavender flowers bloom from mid-July into August.

According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), "...rarely grown anymore and can only be found in a few collections."

This plant may have been sold at one time as 'Mackwoods No. 8'.

An article by Warren I. Pollock in The Hosta Journal (1995 Vol. 26 No. 2) states that, "...seeing the new cultivar name 'Fool's Gold' instead of the invalid names " 'Fortunei Stenantha Variegated' " and "H. fortunei 'Stenantha Variegated'." They're invalid because a cultivar name cannot contain both Latin and English words."