The leaves are rather closely clustered along the stem, obovate to sometimes elliptic and small, often shorter than the spines. Corolla 0.5-1 cm long; fruit small, black.

The separation or systematic distinctness of this from Catesbaea parviflora is based mainly on fruit color and has sometimes been considered problematic; Howard (1989) strongly recommended some time ago that field study was needed here, but he also in his discussion confused Catesbaea melanocarpa with some other species in Hispaniola, for more information see the page for Catesbaea parviflora.