Acianthus 1135569 203924560 2008-04-07T05:36:33Z Hesperian 111359 [[Category:Orchidaceae of Australia]] {{Unreferenced|date=March 2008}} {{Taxobox | name = Acianthus | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Monocotyledon|Liliopsida]] | ordo = [[Asparagales]] | familia = [[Orchidaceae]] | subfamilia = [[Orchidoideae]] | tribus = Diuridiae | subtribus = Acianthinae | genus = '''''Acianthus''''' | genus_authority = [[Robert Brown (botanist)|R.Br.]] | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text. }} '''''Acianthus''''' ([[Robert Brown (botanist)|Brown]], 1810) is a small Australasian genus of 21 [[species]] from the orchid family ([[Orchidaceae]]). The name is derived from the Greek words ''achis'' (point) and ''anthos'' (flower), referring to the pointed [[sepals]]. Common Australian names include "pixie-caps," "gnat orchid," and "mosquito orchid." Acianthus species occur in [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[New Guinea]], the [[Solomon Islands]], but mainly in [[New Caledonia]], in small groups in forests on decaying litter, or occasionally on partially decayed logs or in association with [[bracken]] fern. These [[terrestrial plant|terrestrial]] orchids have small, globular, subterranean tubers from which the flower stems arise. They are mainly [[insect]] pollinated, usually by small [[gnat]]s. There is a single, heart-shaped, clasping [[leaf]], often with purple markings, near the base, held horizontally above the soil. These orchids produce a terminal [[raceme]], arising from near the center of a solitary leaf, bearing pinkish or greenish [[flower]]s with a long spur. There are small flowers (4 to 5 [[millimetre|mm]]), blending in with the surroundings. == Species == *''[[Acianthus aegeridantennatus]]'' (NW. & SE. New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus amplexicaulis]]'' (NE. Queensland to EC. New South Wales, New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus atepalus]]'' (SE. New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus bracteatus]]'' (SE. New Caledonia) . *''[[Acianthus caudatus]]'' : '''Mayfly orchid''', '''dead-horse orchid ''' (SE. Australia). *''[[Acianthus confusus]]'' (New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus corniculatus]]'' (NW. New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus cymbalariifolius]]'' (New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus elegans]]'' (New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus exsertus]]'' : '''Gnat orchid''' (E. & SE. Australia). (type species) *''[[Acianthus fornicatus]]'' : '''Pixie-caps''' (E. Australia). *''[[Acianthus grandiflorus]]'' (C. & SE. New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus halleanus]]'' (NW. & SE. New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus heptadactylus]]'' (New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus ledwardii]]'' (SE. Queensland). *''[[Acianthus macroglossus]]'' (SE. New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus oxyglossus]]'' (SE. New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus sinclairii]]'' (New Zealand - incl. Stewart I.), Chatman Is., Kermadec Is.) *''[[Acianthus tenuilabris]]'' (C. & SE. New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus veillonis]]'' (SE. New Caledonia). *''[[Acianthus viridis]]'' (Tasmania, New Zealand). == External links == * [http://gallery.orchidspng.com/displayimage.php?album=46&pos=5 Photo of Acianthus fornicatus] [[Category:Orchid genera]] [[Category:Orchids of New Zealand]] [[Category:Orchidaceae of Australia]] [[es:Acianthus]] [[pt:Acianthus]]