C. ornata, although perennial, only appears above ground when flowering, arising from short creeping rhizomes, reaching up to 25 cm in height.

From the rhizomes, arise long, cylindrical and finely corrugated, unbranched and upright growing stems that are terete (almost circular in cross section) and narrowly ribbed.

Leaves are reduced to acute (sharply pointed) sheath-shaped scales 1–2 cm in length, arranged alternately on the stem, with 3–5 nerves and similar bracts.

At the base, the labellum overhangs the reproductive organs umbrella-like, the 1 mm long gynostemium (fused stamens and pistil).

[1][3] Corsia ornata is found at a number of widely spaced locations in the western part of New Guinea, particularly on Bird's Head Peninsula.