Greek phalaina – moth; opsis – resembling; the white flowered species resemble moths.
Epiphytic herbs, monopodial. Stems short, leafy, simple, lacking pseudobulbs, aerial roots abundant. Leaves in 2 ranks, few, ovate to obovate, often drooping, glossy, sheathing at base. Inflorescences axillary racemes, long, simple or branched, erect or arching. Flowers resupinate, 1?many, small to large, long-lasting, variously coloured. Sepals similar, free, spreading. Petals similar to or larger than sepals, spreading. Labellum 3-lobed, side lobes erect, midlobe fleshy with basal calli and often with 2 narrow projections at tip. Column erect, with a short foot. Pollinia 2, winged.
About 35 species from India, China, SE Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia.
Monopodial orchids with short stems and few leaves; inflorescences long and arching; column midlobe often with 2 narrow projections at tip.
Sweet (1980).
Source: (2005). Orchidaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.