The short-spurred orchid is a small flowered orchid of very moist places. The plant is yellowish-green to green in color and may grow to 70 cm tall. The two to four leaves are largely basal, lance-shaped but broadest near the tip. They are parallel-veined, may reach 20 cm in length, and often wither quickly.
The flowers are green or greenish-white. They are not fragrant. The spur is cylindrical and of equal length to the lower lip. The flowers are closely packed and form a lengthy raceme. The lower lip is linear to triangular-ovate in shape.
The short-spurred orchid is found in dry to moist coniferous forests, and in moist meadows and damp streamside areas.
The short-spurred orchid is found from Alaska south to Baja California, and eastward to Quebec, Ontario, the western regions of South Dakota, Colorado, and Nevada.
