Hylarana (Pulchrana) glandulosa is widely distributed across the island of Borneo and beyond. It inhabits swampy primary or secondary forests, such as alluvial forests and peat swamps. This impressive frog has a robust body and a fairly large head. Males and females typically range from 60 to 90 mm in snout–vent length (SVL).

The dorsal skin is brown with dark blotches. The eardrum is dark, often with a light center spot. The fingers and toes are long, with slightly expanded tips. The subarticular tubercles under all digits are very prominent. The lips usually display a black and white pattern. The eyes are large, with the iris predominantly ruby red. The dorsal skin texture is tuberculate and warty; however, these skin bumps are smooth rather than pointed.

H. glandulosa resembles H. baramica but differs by its larger size, more robust appearance, and the presence of large, flat warts along the flanks (where H. baramica rather finely pebbled or granular skin).

The call sequence of a male consists of a series of loud "whak" sounds, reminiscent of a dog's bark.

Tadpoles live in water-filled depressions with dense leaf litter. They are very shy and difficult to spot, as they tend to emerge only at night and rapidly swim into the leaf debris at the slightest disturbance. They were first described in 2006 by Inger, Stuebing, and Stuart. Their body coloration is black, with low tail fins. Extensive patches of skin glands are present on the head and body, but not on the tail or tail fin.