This species was contrasted in the protologue with Hechtia glabra Brandg. (Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 7: 325. 1920), a native of Veracruz, and H. reticulata L. B. Smith, from Colima. It was said to differ from the former in having slender terete (not "strongly triquetrous") pedicels, and from the latter in having the carpels smooth, not reticulate. All these species belong to a group characterized by having a superior ovary, sepals and floral bracts brown or yellowish (at least not roseate), floral bracts flat, usually much shorter than the sepals or even shorter than the pedicels, flowers distinctly pedicellate in most species, and the leaves relatively large and coarsely toothed. A majority of the species of Hechtia in Nueva Galicia belong to this group. Aside from the difference in the carpels, which of course is not apparent except in mature ? plants, H. laevis is essentially indistinguishable from H. reticulata.
Col., known only from gypsum or limestone rocks in the steep mountains ca "10 mi" SSW of the city of Colima, 400-500 m, flowering Jul-Aug (McVaugh 15528, female, MICH!, the holotype,15528, male, MICH!, isotype; McVaugh 16035). —SeeMcVaugh 1989
