Calochilus russeus is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single thick, dark green, channelled leaf 250–350 mm (9.8–14 in) long and 12–18 mm (0.5–0.7 in) wide.

Unlike some others in the genus, the leaf is fully developed at flowering time.

[2][3] Calochilus russeus was first formally described in 2004 by David Jones from a specimen collected near the road between Guyra and Ebor and the description was published in The Orchadian.

[4] The reddish beard orchid grows with bracken, grasses and low shrubs in peppermint forest near Ebor.

It occurs as scattered individuals in relatively low numbers, including in Cathedral Rock National Park.