This species is characterized by its robust habit, shiny leaves, and generally well developed stipules and calyx lobes. It is sympatric with Henriquezia verticillata. Taylor et al. (2004) separated these by some features in the key here to species of Henriquezia, and also by the shape and position of the calyx scar on the fruit; that last feature may or may not be diagnostic, and needs more review.
This species is morphologically notably variable. It has been variously separated into several species and varieties (Steyermark, 1963), treated as one species with three varieties (Rogers, 1984), or regarded as one variable species (Dávila, 2016). The last approach is taken here.