There is an insect-like callus about 4.5 mm (0.2 in) long with reddish brown, hair-like glands in a central band.

[2][3][4] Arthrochilus sabulosus was first formally described in 1991 by David Jones from a specimen collected on Horn Island.

[3] The spotted elbow orchid grows in sand dunes with scrub vegetation.

It is found on the northern part of the Cape York Peninsula and on Horn Island in the Torres Strait.

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