Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

[1] It grows from bulbs 2.5–5 cm in diameter.

The zygomorphic flowers are yellow, produced in an umbel on a 60 cm tall stem (scape); the stamens have prominent long filaments.

Unlike most species in the genus, E. dodsonii does not have nectaries.

[3] In cultivation, plants should be kept warm and dry when the leaves wither, and watered only when the flowers or leaves begin to grow again, when a sunny position is required for about half the day.