The Pungent Leek-orchid derives its name from the erect, hollow appearance of its leaves, which bear resemblance to a leek. Its scientific name, Prasophyllum olidum, comes from the latin word olidus, which means strongly fragrant. In fact the green to greenish-brown flowers emit a fragrance that it described as almost overpowering. The leaf of the Pungent Leek-orchid is green to yellowish-green with a pinkish red base. The free part is 12-22 cm long. The species flowers in November and December. During this period the plants are 35-60 cm tall. They have 10-30 flowers in a dense spike 6-12 cm long. The ovary is green. The flowers are 14-16 mm long and 7-9 mm wide. The lateral sepals are free throughout, parallel or slightly divergent. The petals are 7-9 mm long and 1 mm wide. The labellum is elliptical and abruptly contracted near the middle. It is abruptly recurved at right angles near the middle, then erect or shallowly recurved. The labellum has irregular margins and the shiny, fleshy green callus on the labellum is broadly channelled at the base and extends nearly to the labellum apex.
The Pungent Leek-orchid can be differentiated from the similiar species, Prasophyllum rostratum, by its stronger fragrance and thinner texture of the petals and sepals. The callus on the labellum of the Prasophyllum rostratum is thicker, almost bulbous.
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