This species has a rather slender habit, elliptic to oblanceolate leaves, short cymose inflorescences that are borne with the leaves, rather small flowers with rotate yellow to perhaps red corollas, and subglobose to ellipsoid fruits. This is a very characteristic species of Hoffmannia, without unusual or notable distinguishing features.

Hoffmannia asperula is similar to Hoffmannia longipetiolata, found from southern Central America to, perhaps Peru, and their distinction is not entirely clear; their separation probably needs further study. Hoffmannia asperula is apparently quite similar to Hoffmannia dichroantha, and these may not be distinct. Hoffmannia asperula is also similar to Hoffmannia cercidifolia, which may not be distinct from this or Hoffmannia longepetiolata. Hoffmannia asperula is also similar to Hoffmannia sprucei, which has but has orange to red corollas with a developed tube that is at least as long as the lobes and appears to be somewhat more robust.