Stocky, unusual looking tuberous geophyte up to 25cm. Leaves cauline (arising from the stem), erect, overlapping and lanceolate; inflorescence is corymbose (flat-topped) with up to 15 flowers, but often may have much fewer; flowers not resupinate (lip of flower is not on lower side as in most orchids); sepals are purplish-brown and petals brownish-black.

After: Professor Alfred A. Bodkin (1847-1930), British-born plant collector in South Africa; he was a distinguished mathematician and was from 1881 to 1902, Professor of Mathematics at Bishop's, Cape Town.