Genus of about 50 species of evergreen, epiphytic, monopoidal orchids occuring from sea level to lowland forest in the Hymalayas, S.E. Asia, and N. Australia. They have a short, upward-growing, stem-like rhizome, lacking pseudobulbs and producing 3-6 broadly obovate or oval, upright or semi-pendent, fleshy, mid- to dark-green leaves. Flowers, on simple or brunched racemes, are produced from the bases of the leaves. A full size Phalaenopsis can very possibly be in bloom for 6 to 8 months out of the year; producing two or more complete spikes per year. When the last flower has wilted, the spike can be cut back to about an inch above the fourth node, counting from the base. (A node is the bump on the spike.) Usually, a lateral shoot will form from one of these remaining nodes within several months.