[2][3][4] The small spur orchid was first formally described in 1984 by Bill Lavarack and Bruce Gray who gave it the name Malaxis lawleri from a specimen collected near Rossville.

[1][6] The specific epithet (lawleri) honours Len Lawler, who discovered the species.

[7] The small spur orchid grows in shady places near swamps between Ayton and Cooktown.

[2][3] Crepidium lawleri is classed as "endangered" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The main threats to the species are damage by feral pigs, encroaching rainforest and illegal collecting of the orchid.