There are several species of Saccoloma in tropical America that have been mistaken for the common lowland species S. inaequale pictured here. Saccoloma inaequale is most easily distinguished from the others by the nearly glabrous medium brown petioles, and relatively light colored and thin textured lamina. It is found in lowland tropical forests.  In Costa Rica, the name S. moranii was applied to these plants for some time, but that name is a later synonym.