It has been found at 0.5 km above sea level in Napo, Ecuador[1] It is also known from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

[2] E. smaragdinum is a reed-stemmed Epidendrum which produces slender, cane-like stems which show no tendency to swell into pseudobulbs, and which are covered by tubular imbricating sheathes which, on the upper part of the stem, bear alternate leaves.

Amphiglottium, the peduncle grows from the apex of the stem, and is covered with close, imbricating sheathes.

The racemose inflorescence bears only a few small bright green to white flowers at one time.

The lip bears two tooth-like processes on either side of the column, and a central keel.