They are terrestrial herbs with a creeping rhizome, an upright flowering stem and dark coloured leaves with contrasting veins.

Orchids in the genus Anoectochilus are terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodial herbs with a creeping, above-ground rhizome with wiry roots that look woolly.

They are dark green or brownish purple and have a contrasting network of silvery or reddish veins.

The hypochile has a cylinder-shaped spur containing two large glands and is joined to the epichile with a "claw" that has spreading teeth or a long fringe.

[8] Orchids in this genus range from the Himalayas to south China, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Guinea, Melanesia and Hawaii,[9] found in moist areas with deep shade.