Terrestrial herb, slender, geophyte, 0.10-0.45 m high; root tubers present. Leaves cauline, clustered at base of stem. Inflorescence corymbose. Flowers many, resupinate, white with pale to dark red petals and lip. Sepals: median sepal boat-shaped; lateral sepals 10-17 mm long; spur obsolete. Petals strap-shaped, reflexed parallel to anther, obliquely narrowly oblong, apex acute curved over anther. Lip patent, apex often curved upwards, lorate, often narrowly diamond-shaped, 5-8(10) mm long. Flowering time Sept.-Jan., after fire.
Like D. atricapilla but sepals white, not keeled above and petals and lip pale to dark red.