They occur in mountain forest of the Himalayas, China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and New Guinea at altitudes of 300–1,500 metres (980–4,920 ft).

They produce numerous, long, thick, horizontal roots under a short rhizome.

They bear few to many dull brown, purple, yellow or green flowers with a somewhat brighter lip.

The lip is about of equal length to the sepals and is covered with dense, yellow hair.

Characteristics for this species are: Lecanorchis is related to Clematepistephium and Eriaxis,[3] both endemic to New Caledonia.