[1][3] It is, however, never found along the shores of dams whose water levels vary considerably during the year.

The blooms are showy, and can be 10 cm across the laterally spreading sepals, which are scarlet to carmine in color.

[1] The petals, which are very much smaller than the sepals, are erect colored yellow with red spots at their tops, but pale scarlet at their bases.

[1][3][2][4] Its pollination is one of the most complex of all the orchids, involving the mountain pride butterfly, Aeropetes tulbaghia.

[1] Though unscented, the flowers attract the butterfly with its vibrant red colour and by rewarding it with nectar.