Oncinotis glabrata grows as a climbing shrub or liana up to 50 metres (160 ft) long, with a stem diameter of up to 12 centimetres (4.7 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a yellow to greenish yellow corolla. Fruit consists of paired follicles, each up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long. Habitat is forests from sea-level to 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) altitude. Local medicinal uses include as a treatment for yaws sores. O. glabrata is found in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and Angola.