Orchids in the genus Genoplesium are terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodial herbs, usually with a few inconspicuous, fine roots and a pair of more or less spherical tubers.

A single long, cylindrical, glabrous leaf develops near the base of the plant and is fused to the flowering stem.

[2][3][4] The inflorescence is a spike or raceme with a few to many non-resupinate flowers which are often have reddish brown or purple parts and often smell fruity.

The sexual parts of the flower are fused to the column which is short and has narrow wings, often with an extension at the front.

[2][3][4] The genus Genoplesium was first formally described by Robert Brown in 1810 and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.

The change has been accepted by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria who list twelve species of Corunastylis but not Plants of the World Online.

Some studies have suggested that the flowers are pollinated exclusively by flies of the Superfamily Chloropoidea (now in the Family Milichiidae).