[2][3][4][5] This species was first formally described by botanist Eduard Fenzl based on plant material collected by Charles von Hügel from the Swan River area.

Fenzl's description was published in 1837 in Enumeratio plantarum quas in Novae Hollandiae ora austro-occidentali ad fluvium Cygnorum et in sinu Regis Georgii collegit Carolus Liber Baro de Hügel.

[6][7] The Latin specific epithet arbutiflora alludes to the flowers which are reminiscent of those of Arbutus unedo, the strawberry tree.

[5] Three varieties of C. arbutiflora are listed as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions but var.

pygmaea is classified as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[14] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.