The flowers are funnel-shaped overall with five petals fused at the base, a short spur and spreading, rounded tips.

[2] In one classification scheme for the family Gesneriaceae, Codonanthopsis is placed in the subfamily Gesnerioideae, tribe Gesnerieae, subtribe Columneinae.

[7] Within the subtribe, it forms a clade with Nematanthus, Codonanthe and Lesia:[8][2] Lesia Codonanthopsis Codanthe Nematanthus As of April 2021[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[1] Codonanthopsis species are native from southern Mexico south through Central America and Trinidad and Tobago to Bolivia and all but the very southern part of Brazil.

The fibrous roots of the plant support the ants' nests, and the plant provides food for the ants in the form of nectar produced by the flowers and the leaves, as well as the pulp of the fruit and the arils surrounding the seeds.

Azteca workers were strongly attracted to Codonanthopsis seeds, which were shown to germinate better when ants had removed the arils.

A well-drained soilless mix is recommended, and humidity levels over 50% improve flowering and fruiting.

[10] Codonanthopsis elegans has been exhibited at a convention of the Gesneriad Society, and is described as having pale yellow flowers that "contrast beautifully with the dark and shiny foliage".