Once the vines approach a host tree's branches, the leaves begin to change their size, shape, color, vein patterns, spines, and orientation to match the host plant; sometimes expanding to 10x their original size.[4] B. trifoliata has been observed mimicking over 20 different species of plants.

Boquila trifoliolata is the only plant known to engage in mimetic polymorphism, meaning it can mimic the leaves of multiple host plants.[4][17] Other species of vines are capable of limited crypsis for one host species, but B. trifoliata is notable since it can mimic the leaves of multiple species, with one vine capable of simultaneously mimicking multiple hosts.