Medium sized epiphyte or terrestrial. Pseudobulbs ovoid, to 6 cm long, compressed, well spaced. Leaves solitary, linear, to 35 cm long, to 1 cm wide. Flowers several around each pseudobulb, to 5 cm wide, deep red with yellowish markings, labellum yellow with reddish blotches; spring to summer. Sepals similar, lanceolate, partly spreading, pointed at tip. Petals shorter, forward pointing. Labellum obscurely 3-lobed, midlobe tongue-shaped, curved under at tip.

Mexico and C America.

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 Maxillaria tenuifolia)