The stem of the small whorled pogonia grows about 10 inches tall when in flower and about 14 inches tall when bearing fruit. Leaves of the orchid are oblong and 1 to 3.5 inches long. The fruit appears as an upright ellipsoid capsule. 

Measurements
Height: 10 to 14 inches (25 to 36 cm)
Leaf Length: 1 to 3.5 inches (2.5 to 9 cm)

The small whorled pogonia has a single stem and oblong leaves that are grayish-green in color. A single or paired green-yellow flower can be visible in May or June.  

The small whorled pogonia flowers from mid-May to mid-June, with the flowers lasting only a few days to a week. It may not flower every year but when it does flower, one or two flowers are produced per plant. If pollinated, a capsule forms that contains several thousand minute seeds. The pogonia appears to self-pollinate by mechanical processes. The flower lacks both nectar guides and fragrance and insect pollination has not been observed. 

This orchid grows in older hardwood stands of beech, birch, maple, oak, and hickory that have an open understory. Sometimes it grows in stands of softwoods such as hemlock. It prefers acidic soils with a thick layer of dead leaves, often on slopes near small streams.