There is an insect-like callus about 3.5 mm (0.1 in) long with dark reddish brown, hair-like glands in a central band.

The tip of the callus is about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide with shiny black glands.

[2][3][4][5] Arthrochilus prolixus was first formally described in 1991 by David Jones from a specimen collected near Wauchope.

[3] The wispy elbow orchid grows with grass and shrubs in forest between Manly in New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland.

[2][3][4] As with other Arthrochilus orchids, A. prolixus is pollinated by male thynnid wasps of the genus Arthrothynnus although the species involved is not known.