Plants 15-40 (-70) cm tall. Stem glabrous below, downy above. Leaves sessile, in the middle of the stem or slightly below, almost opposite, spreading horizontally, oval to nearly orbicular, with cuspidate apex. Inflorescence ± loosely many-flowered, up to 25 cm, rachis ± pubescent. Bracts minute, 4-5 mm. Sepals ovate, obtuse, 4-5 mm; petals ligulate to linear. Labellum cuneate-ligulate, 2-3 times longer than sepals, apex deeply divided into 2 linear, slightly divergent lobes, sometimes with a small tooth in the sinus, with darker green, nectar secreting furrow along the mid-rib. Column 2-3 mm long. Ovary ± globular, with c. 5 mm long, twisted, ± hairy pedicel.

Fl. Per.: May-June.

Type: “Habitat in Europae subhumidis partis”. (Hb.Linn.1056/10, photo!).

Distribution: Northern hemisphere (Europe, America, Asia), Mediterranean region, S.W. Asia, Himalaya-mountains. Euro-Sibirian element.