[1][3] The type specimen of Pachystoma nutans was previously overlooked among unidentified Eulophia species at the Royal Botanic Garden herbarium in Edinburgh.

The flowers are pale cream, faintly flushed with pink, with a bright yellowish-green lip.

The dorsal sepal is puberulous on both surfaces, elliptic-oblong, 1.2 cm (0.47 in) long and 2.7 mm (0.11 in) across, with 5 nerves.

The lip is orbicular-ovate in outline, constricted slightly below the middle, forming three large lobes.

[3] Pachystoma nutans is distinguished from Pachystoma pubescens by its two-flowered inflorescence (versus many-flowered); glabrous rachis (versus more or less pilose), flowers nodding (rather than horizontally spreading), and its lip trilobed slightly below the middle (rather than above the middle).