Acianthella (elf orchids) is a small genus of tropical ground orchids previously included in ''

Acianthus ''Acianthus'', commonly known as mosquito orchids, is a genus of about twelve species of plants in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Mosquito orchids are terrestrial herbs with a single, heart-shaped, usually ground-hugging leaf and one to many sma ...

'' but is now distinguished "by tiny green flowers on long thin ovaries, sepals of similar shape and size, lacking apical clubs, narrow petals and no basal glands on the labellum." There are about 7 species altogether, two endemic to

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

, and 5 to

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

. Both the Australian species are self-pollinating and very difficult to grow. It was described by David LLoyd Jones and Mark Alwin Clements in 2004. The type-species is ''Acianthella amplexicaulis''.IPNI

List of species

* '' Acianthella amplexicaulis'' * '' Acianthella sublesta''

Footnotes

References

* Jones, David L. (2006). ''A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia, Including the Island Territories''. New Holland Publishers, Frenchs Forest, N.S.W. 2086 Australia. . * IPNI
Plant Name Details for ''Acianthella''
Retrieved 28 September 2009 {{Taxonbar, from=Q4673989 Acianthinae Diurideae genera