Saunders, the botanists who first formally described the species, named it after the tongue (Latinized form of Greek γλωσσα-, glossa-) shaped gland on their inner petals (petala, in Latin).

Its hairless petioles are 5-9 by 1.5-2.5 millimeters with a narrow groove on their upper side.

The pedicels have a medial, densely hairy bract that is 0.6 millimeters long.

The pale yellow, egg-shaped, outer petals are 6.5 by 3-5 millimeters with slightly hairy upper and lower surfaces.

[3] It has been observed growing in limestone soil types in forests at elevations of 150–460 meters.