The leaves, which are bent back when they first emerge, are trifoliate and markedly different to those of other members of the genus, being smooth and glossy, thick, stiff and leathery in texture, with inrolled margins on the underside.

The fruits are green with reddish tips and contain three large hexagonal seeds, measuring 27 by 20 mm (1.1 by 0.8 in).

This tree is not used commercially for the production of latex having a poor reputation due to the high proportion of resins present.

[2] H. rigidifolia is endemic to the upper reaches of the Rio Negro and the Vaupés River in the northern part of the Amazon basin, near the boundary between Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.

The typical habitat of H. rigidifolia is well-drained and relatively dry soils on rocky slopes.