Plants ± robust, rarely dwarf, up to 60(-80) cm tall. Stem solid, ± hollow in larger plants, leafy. Leaves sometimes crowded towards the base, unspoted, erect-spreading. Inflorescence densely many-flowered, cylindric, to 15(-22) cm. Bracts lanceolate, inferior exceeding flowers. Flowers rose-purple or flesh-coloured, very rarely white. Sepals 10(-16) x 3-4 mm, laterals spreading or reflexed, dorsal forming a loose hood with slightly shorter petals. Labellum nearly flat, 7-10(-13) mm long, predominately longer than broad, roundish or oblong or reniform-rhomboidal, sometimes tapering towards the apex, entire, subentire or shortly 3-lobed, marked with darker purple dots or loops of broken lines. Spur cylindrical, slightly curved outwards, rarely ± straight. Ovary slightly twisted, glabrous.

Fl. Per.: June-July (-August.).

Holotype: USSR: Kazakhstania (Songaria) in salicetis umbrosis insularum fl. Lapsa, June 1840, Karelin & Kirilow (holotype LE!).

Distribution: From Eastern Anatolia to Afghanistan and Central Asia (Tadjikistan, Uzbekistan, Pamir-Alaj, Tien-Shan, Kasakstan). Mainly a mountain plant, growing from 1000 m up to more than 3000 m in marshy places, near rivers and springs.