Rufodorsia species are epiphytic perennial plants, with little-branched upright or hanging stems.

The free ends of the petals (lobes) differ: the lowest is larger, making the flower appear two-lipped.

The genus name is derived from Latin rufus 'red' and dorsum 'back', referring to the reddish back of the flowers.

The genus name honoured Anders Sandøe Ørsted, a Danish botanist who explored and collected in the neotropics between 1845 and 1848.

[1][7][8] Four species were originally placed in the genus,[2] and are recognized in a 2020 list of New World members of the family Gesneriaceae,[9] as well as by Plants of the World Online as of April 2021[update]:[1] One additional species transferred from Oerstedina is accepted by Plants of the World Online as of April 2021[update]:[1] The four original species of Rufodorsia are native to Central America, from Nicaragua through Costa Rica to Panama.