[6] Orchids in the genus Nervilia are terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodial herbs with an oval to almost spherical tuber and sometimes a few short roots.

The leaves are usually wrinkled or crumpled with distinct, fan-like veins, giving rise to the genus name.

The genus is poorly understood, mainly because the flower and leaf are present at different times, so that herbarium specimens are often incomplete.

[3][7][8] The genus Nervilia was first formally described in 1827 by Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré after an unpublished description by Philibert Commerson.

[1][9] The name Nervilia is derived from the Latin word nervus meaning "nerve",[10] referring to the veined leaves.