Plant: to over 30cm tall. Leaves long and narrow, pointed, 5-25 cm x 1-1.5 cm V-shaped, extending above the flower. Young (first year) plants may have broad bluish leaves.

Flowers: 3-5 cm tall, Dorsal sepal longer than petals and often with very long acuminate and sometimes upturned tip to over 20 mm. Lateral sepals sweep upward sometimes backward to 50 mm or more. Labellum top red and its tip may be curled upward. Stigma long.

Flowering: October to November.

Habitat: lowland to montane, damp scrub or well lit forest.

Conservation: often forming large colonies, common; not threatened.

Notes: typifies the large-flowered group of Pterostylis. Dorsal sepal shorter in many South Island plants and variable in some populations. There are a few distinct forms.

Key features: very large, common, narrow, pointed leaves and long tips to dorsal and lateral sepals.