It is very similar to Cyrtostylis oblonga and more investigation is required to determine if they are distinct from each other.

Cyrtostylis rotundifolia is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with a single kidney-shaped, egg-shaped, heart-shaped or almost round leaf 10–40 mm (0.4–2 in) long and 8–17 mm (0.3–0.7 in) wide.

The petals are similar in size and shape to the lateral sepals.

[2] Cyrtostylis rotundifolia was first formally described in 1853 by Joseph Dalton Hooker and the description was published in Flora Novae-Zelandiae.

[6]: 466 The winter orchid grows in lightly shaded scrub and open in areas on the northern half of the North Island and the lower two-thirds of the South Island of New Zealand.