In the huge Orchid (Orchidaceae) Family, this genus consists of about 113 species from Costa Rica and into South America. It was named in 1824 by John Lindley in honor of Sir William Cattley.

These are the type of orchid commonly most associated with corsages. In the wild, they tend to grow in large groupings at a particular site. This has sometimes led to them being over harvested with some on the edge of extinction. Hundreds and hundreds of hybrids are now under production in greenhouses throughout the world.