They are native to the tropics and subtropical regions of the American continents, from South Carolina to Argentina. Their habitat can be is epiphytic, terrestrial, or even lithophytic (growing on bare rock). Many are grow in the Andes, at altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000 m. Their habitats include humid jungles, dry tropical forests, sunny grassy slopes, cool cloud forests, and sandy barrier islands.

Species