Cormous geophyte up to 50cm. Leaves 3, occasionally 4, linear to sword-shaped, hairy, mostly 3-8mm wide, often fairly short, the two lower leaves basal. Flowers in 3-6 flowered spike, pink to mauve, occasionally white, lower tepals irregularly streaked with dark colour; perianth tube usually 15-25mm long; bracts green or flushed greyish or purple above.

Latin: hirsutus = shaggy, bristly, hirsute; referring to the hairy leaves of this species.