The genus name is derived from the Greek words agrostis ("grass") and phyllos ("leaf"), referring to the grass-like appearance of the leaves of some species.

[2] These epiphytic orchids occur in tropical lowland forests, growing on trunks or branches of trees.

They are found from the Seychelles, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia to the Pacific Islands.

[1][3] These orchids have elongate, frequently pendulous stems with dense leaves that overlap at their base.

They show peculiar, ball-like inflorescences of many bracts, bearing small flowers.