Phreatia

Podochileae subtribe Thelasiinae. Schlechter divided the genus into six sections based on growth habit and characters of the flowers with one of these sections accepted as the separate genus Octarrhena. Larger plants with broad leaves are sometimes accept

Epiphytes. Stems with pseudobulbs and caespitose to lacking pseudobulbs with the stems elongate and pseudomonopodial, rooting at the base. Leaves one to many, alternate, distichous. Inflorescences axillary scapose densely-flowered racemes, the floral bracts usually exceeding the ovary. Flowers minute, whitish. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar. Lip unlobed or obscurely three-lobed, +/- spur, usually with a flared limb. Column short, usually with a foot; pollinia 8, naked.

A genus of about 160 species found from India to New Guinea, Australia and the islands of the western Pacific.