Perennial, rhizomatous, myco-heterotrophic herb lacking chlorophyll; stems up to 55 cm high, erect, cream to pale pink in color, with 4 to 6 reduced leaves or bracts that are well spread along the stem below the inflorescence; flowers 13 to 19, each subtended by a bract that is up to 12 mm long; sepals and petals white, variously tinged with pink and yellow; veins in pale shades of maroon; sepals up to 25 mm long, narrow, up to 5mm broad, and coiled back onto itself in the upper half; upper petals 2, slightly shorter than the sepals, and coiled in a similar manner; rostellum, separating the fertile stigma lobes from the stamens, is present. Flowering from mid-May to mid-June.