They either have an underground rhizome or pseudobulbs on the surface and those species with leaves have them on the end of a fleshy stem.

The genus is widely distributed but most species are found in Africa and Asia, usually growing in shady places with grass or shrubs in forests.

[3][4][5][6][7] The genus Eulophia was first formally described by John Lindley in 1821 and the description was published in The Botanical Register.

In the frost-free, semi-arid areas of Southern California, many Eulophia species, such as E. macra, E. petersii, E. plantaginea, and E. speciosa, can be grown outdoors year-round in well-drained pots with cactus/succulent potting mix (although E. speciosa prefers being grown in pure white sand), as long as they are given ample light through the winter and a drier winter resting period.

The generally large, underground, fleshy rhizome indicates a sympodial growth habit, and this makes Eulophias fairly easy to divide and propagate, provided the grower is gentle.