[1][2] The specific name or epithet, neuwiedi, honors Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, a German naturalist.

[4] P. neuwiedi is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Togo.

[1][2] Dorsally, P. neuwiedi is pale brown with three narrow black stripes.

The dorsal scales are smooth, without apical pits, and are arranged in 15 rows at midbody.

[5] Polemon neuwiedi inhabits moist savanna and humid open forest at elevations below 500 m (1,600 ft).