Genoplesium validum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single thin leaf with a reddish base and 200–300 mm (8–10 in) long, fused to the flowering stem with the free part 25–35 mm (0.98–1.4 in) long.

There is a dark purplish-black callus in the centre of the labellum and extending almost to its tip.

[2][3] Genoplesium validum was first formally described in 1991 by David Jones and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research.

[4] In 2002, David Jones and Mark Clements changed the name to Corunastylis valida, a name that is accepted in Queensland but not by the Australian Plant Census.

[1][5] The specific epithet (validum) is a Latin word meaning "strong" or "powerful",[6] referring to the robust habit of this orchid.