Arthrochilus

Arthrochilus F.Muell., Fragm. 1: 42 (1858).

Type Species: Arthrochilus irritabilis F. Muell.

Distribution: New Guinea to N. & E. Australia

Arthrochilus is a genus which contains up to thirteen species. It is predominantly an Autralian genus but one species extends into New Guinea. Representatives occur in both temperate and tropical regions. Arthochilus was previously united with Drakaea and later Spiculaea.

The name Arthrochilus comes from the Greek arthros (jointed), cheilos (a lip). The name refers to the jointed labellum stalk of these orchids.

All plants are deciduous terrestrial plants which arise from an obovoid tuberoid to form a rosette of three to four leaves and sometimes form a loose colony. Some species emerge from dormancy to flower first then form the rosette of leaves as the flower stem is withering. The flowers are small and to most unimpressive however if a closer look is taken they are an impressive sight to see.

Difficult to grow in cultivation if unfamiliar with the techniques for growing terrestrial species.

Species:
Arthrochilus apectus D.L.Jones, Orchadian 14(8: Sci. Suppl.): i (2004).
Arthrochilus aquilus D.L.Jones, Orchadian 14(8: Sci. Suppl.): ii (2004).
Arthrochilus byrnesii Blaxell, Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 4: 278 (1972).
Arthrochilus corinnae D.L.Jones, Orchadian 14(8: Sci. Suppl.): iii (2004).
Arthrochilus dockrillii Lavarack, Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland 86(25): 155 (1975).
Arthrochilus huntianus (F.Muell.) Blaxell, Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 4: 277 (1972).
Arthrochilus huntianus subsp. huntianus.
Arthrochilus huntianus subsp. nothofagicola D.L.Jones, Austral. Orchid Res. 3: 4 (1998).
Arthrochilus irritabilis F.Muell., Fragm. 1: 43 (1858).
Arthrochilus latipes D.L.Jones, Austral. Orchid Res. 2: 8 (1991).
Arthrochilus oreophilus D.L.Jones, Austral. Orchid Res. 2: 9 (1991).
Arthrochilus prolixus D.L.Jones, Austral. Orchid Res. 2: 10 (1991).
Arthrochilus rosulatus D.L.Jones, Austral. Orchid Res. 2: 10 (1991).
Arthrochilus sabulosus D.L.Jones, Austral. Orchid Res. 2: 11 (1991).
Arthrochilus stenophyllus D.L.Jones, Austral. Orchid Res. 2: 12 (1991).