Small epiphyte or epilith. Pseudobulbs cylindrical or spindle-shaped, to 4 cm long, erect or ascending. Leaves ovate to oblong, to 6 cm long, to 2.5 cm wide, shiny dark green with a red vein. Flowers usually solitary, to 7.5 cm wide, scarlet; autumn to winter. Sepals oblong. Petals almost round, twice as wide as sepals. Labellum 3-lobed, side lobes erect, midlobe yellow at base with 7-9 scarlet lines.

Brazil.

The similar S. mantiqueirae (Fowlie) Fowlie has shorter pseudobulbs (to 2 cm long), leaves that are wholly reddish or spotted with red below, and 3-5 scarlet lines on the base of the labellum midlobe.

Source: Jeanes, J. (2005). Orchidaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press. (as Sophronitis coccinea)