Acianthus
Pixie Caps, Mosquito Orchids, Mayfly Orchids
A genus of terrestrial tuberous herbs (orchid). The simple, ovate-cordate, often with reddish underside leaves are single flat leaf at the base (alternate with stem bracts).
The flowers are in terminal, simple racemes which arise from the base of the leaf, and the fruit are dehiscent, dry capsules. The distribution includes Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, and New Zealand with an estimated 23 species. 12 species are indigenous to Australia.
Genera with which this genus may be confused by most people could include Corybas, Cyrtostylis, Townsonia, Eriochilus, Pyrorchis and Chiloglottis.I>. This list has been made fairly broad to allow as many options as possible.
The leaf is mainly held above the ground surface, and the petiole is frequently channelled on the side away from the blade. Very difficult to discern the difference between members of this genus, Corybas, Townsonia and Cyrtostylis when flowers are not present.
The genus is in the Orchidaceae. There is further information about this genus available in the Flora of NSW (Harden). This genus may be found in the 4th volume, on page 215.
The following species in this genus are presented in this volume. A link selected here will show the text for that species in the Species Window.
§RA. amplexicaulis,
§RA. apprimus,
A. caudatus,
A. collinus,
§RA. exiguus,
A. exsertus,
A. fornicatus,
A. pusillus.