I learn something as well. I knew that Den phalenopsis is the same as Den bigibum, but I was not sure that they were actually a species.
Den phalenopsis has been used in loads of hybrids and so there is also a 'Den phal type'. In a similar way you get 'Paph Maudiae type' but Maudiae is a hybrid not a species so I was not sure if this was similar.
Rosie I think when folks refer to a "phal type" dendrobium it's usually because the aren't sure what the actual parentage is, but by looking at the plant and the flowers they can tell there is a large percentage of Den. phal. species in it.