Its two species are native to Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast and Liberia in western tropical Africa.

It was traditionally included in Boraginaceae sensu lato,[3] as it was in the APG IV system,[4] and by Plants of the World Online as of February 2023[update].

[1] A study of pollen in 1989 suggested that Hoplestigma might be related to the family Ehretiaceae (= Boraginaceae subfamily Ehretioideae).

[5] In a 2014 molecular phylogenetic study based on chloroplast DNA, Hoplestigma formed a strongly supported clade with Coldenia and genera that have been placed in the family Cordiaceae (= Boraginaceae subfamily Cordioideae) and the authors recommended that Hoplestigma and Coldenia be included in Cordiaceae.

[7] As of February 2023[update], two species are recognized:[1] Both are rare trees of lowland jungle in West and Central Africa.