It is an erect, slightly spreading perennial herb typically growing to a height of 60 centimetres (24 in).

The rhizomes are horizontal to the surface or buried to 1 centimetre (0.4 in) deep, they are pale brown in color tufts of ginger hairs.

[2] There are three remaining populations of C. abortivus found approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) apart in the Waychinicup area, east of Albany.

It grows among heath or scrub with a sedge understorey in loamy, sandy or gravelly soils.

[2] It is a declared rare flora, but recorded a significant range extension when surveys were conducted in 2000.