The labellum callus is insect-like, about 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long with its central area crowded with hair-like, reddish or purplish glands.

[2][3][4] Arthrochilus irritabilis was first formally described in 1858 by Ferdinand von Mueller and the description was published in Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from a specimen collected "from wooded hills near Moreton Bay".

[5][6] The specific epithet (irritabilis) is a Latin word meaning "easily excited".

[7] The clubbed elbow orchid grows in woodland, forest and heath, sometimes forming large colonies.

[4] As with other Arthrochilus orchids, A. irritabilis is pollinated by males thynnid wasps of the genus Arthrothynnus although the species involved is not known.