The largest genus of orchids with over 1200 species it is also the most geographically diverse. It is found in all tropical areas on earth and is quite diverse in its flower morphology as well. The flowers have the foot of the column which is hinged attached to the labellum so the flower has a moving part which bobs, weaves, jiggles or jumpsin the slightest breeze. They are sympodial psuedobulbs with one - two leaves, closely or far spaced on the rhizome.

The scientific name has been derived from the Latin word bulbus (bulb-like) and the Greek word phyllon (leaf), referring to the pseudobulbs on top of which the leaf is growing.