It is similar to the other china orchids, especially C. ashbyae but has a paler green leaf, vanilla-scented flowers and a more northerly distribution.

[2][3][4] Cyanicula fragrans was first formally described in 2000 Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown from a specimen collected near Paynes Find and the description was published in Lindleyana.

[5] The specific epithet (fragrans) is a Latin word meaning "smelling agreeably", referring to the rich fragrance of the flowers.

[3] The fragrant china orchid is found between Beacon and Mullewa in the Avon Wheatbelt, Murchison and Yalgoo biogeographic regions growing on and near low granite outcrops.

[2][3][4][6] Cyanicula fragrans is classified as "Priority Three" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife[6] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.