It is a relatively common orchid with a single, hairy leaf and up to three yellow flowers which often have red markings.

The description was published in Brown's book Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen from a specimen in Archibald Menzies' early collection.

[10] It is a rare subspecies with an unusually large leaf and prominent red markings on all the sepals and petals, occurring between Beverley and Williams and commonly known as the Brookton Highway cowslip orchid.

[2][3][4] Cowslip orchid is common in the Southwest, growing in a range of soil types including laterite and granite.

It often occurs with burnt trees, especially marri,[11] and is found in winter wet areas, forest, coastal woodlands, and on granite outcrops throughout the Southwest and Eremaean botanical provinces.