phalaenopsis

phal·ae·nop·sis

 (făl′ə-nŏp′sĭs)

n. pl. phalaenopsis or phal·ae·nop·ses (-sēz′)

Any of various epiphytic orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis of Southeast Asia and Australasia, widely cultivated as houseplants for their large variously colored flowers. Also called moth orchid.

---

[New Latin genus name : New Latin phalaena, moth (from Medieval Greek phalaina, variant of Greek phallaina, moth, from phallaina, moth); see bhel- in Indo-European roots + -opsis.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Phalaenopsis - genus of ornamental epiphytic orchids of Asia and Australia genus Phalaenopsis liliopsid genus, monocot genus - genus of flowering plants having a single cotyledon (embryonic leaf) in the seed family Orchidaceae, orchid family, Orchidaceae - enormous cosmopolitan family of perennial terrestrial or epiphytic plants with fleshy tubers or rootstocks and unusual flowers moth orchid, moth plant - any of various orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis having often drooping glossy broad obovate or oval leaves usually dark green flushed purple or mottled grey and silver butterfly plant, Phalaenopsis amabilis - orchid having large elliptic to obovate fleshy leaves and fragrant pink-and-white flowers dotted with red

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.