Based on broad similarities between Huizache Incised-engraved and the Canutillo Red-filled Engraved wares (Kelley and Kelley 1971:9-11), the designation of this type as representative of the earliest phase of Mesoamerican occupation in the Malpaso Valley is now confirmed via frequency seriation (Torvinen and Nelson 2020). This is significant not only for the Malpaso chronology but also in its ability to extend ceramic crossties with neighboring areas. For example, Huizache pottery has been recovered in the Bolaños-Valparaiso Valley at the sites of La Florida and Totoate, as well as at La Montesa in the Villa García region (Jimenez and Darling 2000:162). Additional evidence from characterization studies (Torvinen 2018) supports the proposition that Huizache is a local emulation of Canutillo, rather than a direct import from the Chalchihuites area (Jimenez 1989:17-20; Jimenez and Darling 2000:162; Nelson 1993:181; Strazicich 1995:103-107; Trombold 1985:253-255).

Huizache sherds are characterized by the relatively simple treatment (i.e., single-line incision) of several motifs that tend to be continuous without the presence of divider panels. However, connected and unconnected motifs both occur. The motifs are contained within a single- or double-lined design band. There are some exceptions to these general observations. For example, discontinuous scrolls with simple divider panels are fairly common for the Trujillo type. The motifs include zigzags or wavy lines, parallel lines, steps, the lazy ‘S,’ stepped frets, scrolls, and zigzags with secondary appendages. In any case, hatching or cross hatching within the design band and the presence of geometric motifs or life forms are not characteristic of this type. The seven Huizache variants are Villanueva, Quisillo, Escalera, Coyotes, Malpaso, Trujillo, and Loganiza.