Shizhenia grows from a ovoid shaped tuber. It has a single stem leaf, situated near the base of the stem. The inflorescence consists of a single relatively large flower, rose-red to purple in colour, with a three-lobed lip (labellum). The upper sepal and the lateral petals are grouped to form a hood. The flower has a conical spur, longer than the lip. There are two stigmas that extend under the short rostellum.
