Utricularia dichotoma is a perennial herb with numerous underground trailing stems with bladders 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) in diameter.

They are mauve or purple and have a small upper petal and a broader, semicircular lower lip 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) wide with two or three prominent white or yellow markings, and the corolla is 12–22 mm (0.5–0.9 in) long.

[5][6][7][8] Utricularia dichotoma was first formally described in 1805 by Jacques Labillardière and the description was published in Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen.

[9][10] The specific epithet (dichotoma) is Latin for "dividing into pairs" and refers to the double arrangement of flowers which this species often displays.

[11] As of February 2025[update], Plants of the World Online accepts the following 8 subspecies:[3] The fairy apron is native to New Caledonia, New Zealand and Australia.