Category:Orchis

Or"chis, n.; pl. Orchises. Etym: [l., fr. Gr.

1. (bot.)

Defn: a genus of endogenous plants growing in the north temperate Zone, and consisting of about eighty species. They are perennial Herbs growing from a tuber (beside which is usually found the last Year's tuber also), and are valued for their showy flowers. See Orchidaceous.

2. (bot.)

Defn: any plant of the same family with the orchis; an orchid.

Note: the common names, such as bee orchis, fly orchis, butterfly Orchis, etc., allude to the peculiar form of the flower.