Leaf spirally twisted, dark green, 50–100 × 4–10 mm; basal part of leaf widest, purplish, its margins often lobed and undulate, short hairs on veins and margins; leaf narrowing abruptly above base then linear, spirally twisted, often encircling flower stem. Flower stem 50–200 × 1–2 mm, wiry, 1–2-flowered. Sterile bract 1. Flowers glossy, iridescent, 25–50 mm across, starry, mainly reddish or purplish with broad, reddish gold margins, spotted and blotched with purple. Sepals and petals 10–25 × 5–10 mm, dorsal sepal widest, labellum narrowest. Column 5–7 × 3–5 mm, broadly winged, purplish; post-anther lobe vestigial, apex with arc of finger-like papillae on dorsal surface; column arms erect, ear-like, 3–5.5 mm long, yellow. Anther narrow, 4–6 mm long, yellow or orange, apex beak-like, 2–3 mm long.
Widespread, but uncommon; found growing among dense, low shrubs in heavy clay loam that becomes saturated over winter.
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