Though similar in appearance to the Asian species of vine snakes of the genus Ahaetulla, they are not closely related, and are an example of convergent evolution.

[2] Dorsal scales smooth or weakly keeled, with apical pits, and arranged in 15 or 17 rows at midbody.

[2] Maxillary teeth 20–25, subequal, except for the 3–5 most posterior, which are slightly enlarged and grooved on the outer surface.

[3] Nota bene A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Oxybelis.

The specific name, wilsoni, is in honor of American herpetologist Larry David Wilson.