It has a single erect leaf, spiralling around the flowering stem and a single pink or purplish, spotted flower with more or less circular, yellow ear-like arms on the sides of the column.Thelymitra maculata is a tuberous, perennial herb with a dark green leaf which is egg-shaped near the base, then suddenly narrows to a linear, curved or spirally twisted upper part.

[2][3][4][5] Spotted curly locks was first formally described in 1949 by William Henry Nicholls who gave it the name Thelymitra spiralis var.

[6][7] In 2009 Jeff Jeanes raised the variety to species status, gave it the name Thelymitra maculata and published the updated description in Muelleria.

[5] Thelymitra maculata grows in dry inland heath or woodland, often near rock outcrops and is found between Watheroo, Ongerup and Hyden.

[2][3][4][9] Thelymitra maculata is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.