genus name Phalaenopsis is from two Greek words : "Phalaena" and
"Opsis", meaning "moth-likeness". The type-species of the genus is
Phalaenopsis amabilis, described by Blume in 1825.
Phalaenopsis are native to Southeast Asia,
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Northern Australia. Most Phalaenopsis are
epiphytes, meaning they grow in trees, but a few are lithophytes, meaning they attach
themselves to the surface of rocks.
A Phalaenopsis species is a Phalaenopsis found
in the wild in its native habitat.
Phalaenopsis primary hybrid is the result of crossing two Phalaenopsis species.
To add a bit of confusion, some Phalaenopsis
primary hybrids occur naturally. Note that these hybrids are identified by preceding their
names with the letter "x"
For example : Phalaenopsis x Veitchiana is the
result of a natural cross between Phalaenopsis equestris and Phalaenopsis schilleriana..