Plant: forms large colonies, leaf shortly stalked with the flower emerging near the top of the stem.

Flowers: large to 25 mm long, almost translucent with dark crimson at the back, petals and sepals about equal to 30 mm long, fine, often pointing forward essentially in parallel array.

Flowering: July to October.

Habitat: streamsides, wet mossy rocks, lowland to montane. Volcanic Plateau southwards.

Conservation: none.

Notes: Similar to C. iridescens. Quite variable withe some distinct forms.

Key features: dorsal sepal and labellum translucent with a weft of pale maroon streaks. Petals and sepals about equal.