Isotria species are small perennial herbs with thin, hairy underground rhizomes.

The erect, hollow shoots typically bear five leaves in a whorl, coated slightly bluish, widest above the middle, and pointed at the ends.

The free lip is three-lobed with wavy edges and fleshy calluses.

The stamen is bent down relative to the column axis, with two smooth, broad appendages on the sides, containing loose pollen grains in four pollen chambers (pollina).

The upright capsule fruit contains numerous spindle-shaped seeds, approximately 1.2 × 0.2 millimeters in size.