Flowers are born in a dense cylindrical pattern, with individual plants capable of producing up to 70 flowers. The sepals and petals form a hood that is reddish-brown, over a white crimson-spotted lower lip that is . Flowers have a strong fragrance that is described as similar to honey, though flowers do not produce nectar. "N. ustulata" flowers from May through June, with the subspecies, "Neotinea ustulata" subsp. "aestivalis" blooming in July in England. The late flowering subspecies has a different, unpleasant aroma, indicating different pollinators. The common name comes from the tips of the flower buds having a burnt appearance.