Envoy at 14:17, 23 June 2007

2007-06-23T14:17:20Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| 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:Orchids of Australia]]

Acianthus - Revision history

Envoy at 14:17, 23 June 2007