Epidendrum coriifolium is a sympodial orchid which grows both terrestrially and epiphytically at altitudes of 1.4—1.7 km in dense forests in Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Central America, and Venezuela.

[1] E. coriifolium impressed early taxonomists by being glazed over with a shining exudation.

Epidendrum, this species has stems that do not swell into pseudobulbs, close imbricating sheathes covering the stems from the base to the last regular leaf, terminal inflorescences which emerge from the last regular leaf without being covered by any sheath or spathe, and a lip which is adnate to the column to its apex.

long, bears large, distichous, leathery foliar bracts that are longer than the ovaries.

(1829), noting that E. coriifolium flowers are 3—4 times bigger, and the leaves are longer and narrower (reported in Reichenbach, 1861).