Slender, small geophyte up to 12cm, with pseudobulbs largely buried in the soil. Leaves two, occasionally three, broadly egg-shaped, spreading on soil surface, slightly convex, softly ribbed; flowers in a spike, yellowish-green, shiny, sepals unequal, petals linear; lip oblong, somewhat widened in the middle; pollinaria have a lid-like cover. Flowering is more abundant after fire; plants in open areas of fynbos can flower yearly in successive seasons.

Note: Green flowers usually suggest pollination by flies, however fungus gnats may also be pollinators of Liparis.

Baboons enjoy eating the bulbs.

Greek: lipos = oily, greasy; referring to the shiny, slightly greasy looking flowers.