The identity of this species is not entirely clear. Steyermark treated it as distinct and as having flowers that are fused in the basal portions of their hypanthia but otherwise free. Its type has flowers that are evidently fused in their ovaries, and it is provisionally included here in Morinda. Its characters and relationships will need further study when it is better documented. The type of Morinda hoffmannoides (from Colombia) is very similar to that of Morinda asperula and Belicea hoffmannoides (a separately described name, from Belize), and both of those names are considered synonyms of Morinda panamensis based on somewhat depauperate plants; Morinda hoffmannoides may also represent Morinda panamensis, and expand its range geographically but perhaps into similar habitats in this additional area.