The identity and collection locality of this species are not entirely clear. It is treated provisionally here to include plants from Pacific western Colombia with medium-sized, shiny leaves, cymose inflorescences with regularly developed persistent bracts, and corollas ca. 20 mm long. One specimen provisionally included in this species has medium-sized ellipsoid-cylindrical fruits.

Guettarda ocoteifolia similar to Guettarda sanblasensis, which is here separated by its few caducous bracts and generally larger corollas. Guettarda ocoteifolia is also similar to Guettarda roupalifolia, with smaller but persistent bracts, and these should perhaps be compared critically as to their distinctions. Both of these probably should be compared with Guettarda cordata from the upper Magdalena valley, a poorly known species but older name.