Acianthus Robert Brown
Prod. 321(1810).

Introduction: A genus of about 30 terrestrial species confined to Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. They are also referred to by common names such as Mosquito or Gnat Orchids. The genus is related to Corybas.

Derivation of genus name: From the Greek akis (point) and anthos (flower).

Type species: Acianthus exertus R. Br.

Characteristics of genus: Acianthus has small, globular, subterranean tubers from which the flower stems arise, bearing a single heart-shaped, roundish or kidney-shaped leaf near their base and a few small flowers in the terminal raceme.

Number of species in New Guinea: Four species have been found in New Guinea. These are: Acianthus gibbsae Kores from Irian Jaya, A. croftianus Kores which occurs in the Solomons and New Guinea, A. varigatus Kores, which occurs only on the New Guinea mainland and A. volcanicus Schodde; presently known only from Bougainville (Kores, 1991).

View photos / drawings of species in this genus

Conservation status: not threatened