This species is characterized by a robust habit; glabrous stems, leaves, and stipules; relatively large leaf blades with relatively numerous secondary veins; stipules with short, rounded sheaths and a triangular, fleshy, medial appendage on each interpetiolar side; inflorescences with well-developed peduncles and elongated lax cymes; rather short, lobed calyx limbs; corollas with the lobes abaxially smooth; somewhat small white fruits; and weakly flattened pyrenes with thickened, rounded margins and three abaxial ridges. Taylor (2024: 10-11) presented a morphological description of this species in its new circumscription.

Notopleura albacostata has been confused with and included within several other species, notably Notopleura macrophylla and Notopleura terepaimensis. Notopleura terepaimensis is circumscribed more narrowly here, and restricted to Venezuela; and the Colombian plants previously included in that species are reclassified as Notoplerua albacostata.