Disa ferruginea is a stout, reed-like terrestrial 200-450mm tall. Radical leaves linear, developing after flowering;cauline leaves dry, sheathing. Inflorescence dense, 1-40 flowered. Flowers bright red to orange, often with some parts yellow. Median sepal apiculate, galea 8-10 mm deep;spur slender, grading into the galea, 7-20 mm long;lateral sepals projecting away;elliptic to narrowly elliptic, with apiculi up to 4 mm long;petals spear-shaped, 5-7 mm long;lip narrowly egg to spear-shaped,