[2][3] The genus is represented by only one species, L. gracilis, though the family Laidleriidae does include other genera, such as Uruyiella, sister taxon to Laidleria, which was discovered and classified in 2007.

[2] Later, it has been argued that Laidleria should be placed in the superfamily Rhytodosteoidea due to traits such as the placement of the orbitals, short postorbital region, wide occiput, and broad cultriform process.

[2] Later, in 1998, the specimen was finally able to be prepared dorsally by Warren, which removed much of the taxonomic uncertainty by defining the states of multiple key features, especially those related to the cranial morphology.

[2][8][4] Its external nares are located laterally and relatively posteriorly from the anterior edge of the skull, making the prenarial region appear elongated.

[2] Despite the mandibles being preserved in place, obscuring many details in the area, the long parasphenoid-pterygoid contact, the greatly reduced subtemporal vacuities, and the broad cultriform process of the parasphenoid are visible in the palate region.

The occipital condyles, though somewhat difficult to interpret due to imperfections in the preservation of the fossil, appear to be more elliptical in shape than is seen in most temnospondyls, in a way that is characteristic of rhytidosteids.

The tabular horn and otic notch are both absent, profoundly impacting the morphology of the occipital region, possibly contributing to how reduced this area is.

[9] Both the dorsal and ventral surfaces of Laidleria are covered in small, ornamented scutes, giving it a unique dermal armor that is uncommon in Temnospondyls.

Laidleria was found in the Karoo Basin in South Africa, namely from the Burgersdorp formation, within hard sandstone deposits characteristic of the Early to Middle Triassic in that region.