Plants 40-120 mm high. Stem reaching shortly above ground level, velvety, rarely with 1 or 2 branches borne at ground level, base enclosed by thick collar of fibres. Leaves sword-shaped to lanceolate, pleated, velvety-hairy. Spike compact, decumbent, 3-to 5-flowered; bracts green, becoming dry at tips, 25-40 mm long, inner slightly shorter than outer, forked at apex. Flowers zygomorphic, usually yellow, occasionally pale blue-mauve, lower lateral tepals with whitish median blotches, strongly scented; perianth tube narrowly funnel-shaped, (18-)25-50 mm long; tepals unequal, dorsal arching forward, 30-38 mm long, lower tepals joined to upper laterals for short distance forming oblique lip, 25-30 mm long. Stamens unilateral; filaments arcuate, 15-17 mm long; anthers 7-8 mm long. Ovary smooth or shortly hispid on ribs; style arching over stamens, dividing opposite anther tips, branches ± 4 mm long.
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