This is a rare terrestrial orchid, found in moist woods, bogs or marshes, generally favouring full to partial sun.

It is hard to find as it is small and inconspicuous, and fades rapidly after setting seed.

It has a purple-green stem and produces two (or rarely, three) opposite leaves, generally ovate in shape.

When in flower, it produces up to 25 red-purple or slightly greenish flowers. It can easily be distinguished from other orchid species by its distinctively elongated and forked labellum with lobes that taper into points.

The stalks of the flowers are covered in thin hairs, as is the upper part of the main stem.