Leaf curved to slightly spirally twisted, dark green, 50–150 × 5–10 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. Flower stem 150–350 × 1–2 mm, wiry, 1–6-flowered. Sterile bract 1. Flowers iridescent, 30–55 mm across, mainly reddish, purplish or violet, variegated in shades, blotches and streaks of orange, red, yellow, pink, purple and violet. Sepals and petals 15–25 × 3–10 mm often with yellow margins, dorsal sepal widest, labellum narrowest. Column 5–7 × 3–5 mm, broadly winged, similar colour to perianth, often spotted; post-anther lobe vestigial, apex with arc of finger-like papillae; column arms ear-like, 3–6 mm long, obliquely erect, straight or S-curved, fleshy, yellow or orange. Anther narrow, 4–6 mm long, obliquely erect, yellow or orange, apex beak-like, 2–2.7 mm long.
Relatively widespread, but uncommon and seldom seen; found growing in clearings among low shrubs, rushes and grass tussocks in forest, woodland and heathland in freely draining, deep, sandy soil.
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