Slender rhizomatous geophyte. One of our tiniest orchids only growing to 10cm. It is very seldom seen, mostly second year post-fire. Leaves are stiff and leathery, overlapping and almost folded together. Flowers in lax raceme, flowers 8mm long and resupinate, either dark maroon or greenish-yellow; the yellow form comprises only 12% of populations; lip is papillate except along the margins.

Latin: uro, ustus = to burn; -atus = indicates possession or likeness; referring to scorched brown look of the brown flowers.