E. anceps exhibits a sympodial growth habit, producing closely spaced[1] reed-like stems up to 5 dm tall (10 dm, according to Correll and Schweinfurth) which are flattened laterally (hence, anceps) and covered by imbricating sheathes which bear leaves on the upper part of the stem.

The adnate lip is heart- or kidney-shaped where it diverges from the column, is sufficiently three-lobed to be placed in the section E. sect.

Schistochila,[2] and has a slight keel on the middle lobe, which is notched at the apex, sometimes with a little point.

[4] Reichenbach thought that E. galleottianum was a separate species, and placed it in a different section, E. sect.

Amphiglottium and made no reference to whether or not the lip was lobed; Reichenbach (1861) included no more information than Richard & Galeotti.