This plant matches the description and photos in Eric Christenson's Monograph on Maxillaria and the drawing by Dodson in the IOSPE; M. estradae is separated from other species, especially M. acervata, by bifilaire pseudobulbs subtended by foliaceous bracts and a conspicuously globose callus apex; M. acervata also does not have stripes, as does the sepals and petals of this plant and M. estradae; matches photos in the IOSPE and orchidroots.