Cormous geophyte up to 25cm. Stem compressed and angled. Leaves linear to falcate, ribbed, 2-6mm wide. Flowers fragrant, orange with yellow to green markings in 2-5 flowered spike; perianth tube 10-14mm long, dorsal tepal suberect to inclined 35-50mm long, lower tepals narrow, arching downward.

Common name Kalkoentjie refers to the colour of the flowers which recall the red wattles of a turkey (Afrik: kalkoentjie).

Latin: ala = wing; -atus = indicates likeness: referring to the angled, winged stems of this species.