These epiphytic plants occur in warm, humid habitats of Trinidad and the Amazonian slope of the northern Andean region in South America.

This genus as a rule lacks pseudobulbs and consequently produces tufted fan-like growths of fairly erect narrow, short leaves, and conforms to the sympodial method of growth.

Stenia plants produce a short, creeping or erect, single-flowered inflorescences, growing laterally.

All members of this genus have their flowers dominated by the large, shoe-like, concave labellum (lip) with a disc-like, toothed crest.

They occur at any time of the year, though slightly more concentrated during summer in cultivation.