What is "aerides"

aerides \aerides\ n. 1. any orchid of the genus Aerides.

n. any orchid of the genus Aerides

Aerides, known commonly as cat's-tail orchids and fox brush orchids, is a genus belonging to the orchid family ( Orchidaceae) (subfamily Epidendroideae, tribe Vandeae, subtribe Aeridinae). It is a group of tropical epiphyte orchids that grow mainly in the warm lowlands of tropical Asia from India to southern China to New Guinea. They are valued in horticulture for their racemes of showy, fragrant, colorful flowers.

The name of the genus refers to the epiphytic growth habit of the species, and literally means "air-plant". The type species, Aerides odoratum, was described by João de Loureiro in 1790. This genus is abbreviated Aer in the horticultural trade.