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Webster 1913 Edition
Orchis
Or′chis
,p
; rop.
Noun.
pl.
Orchises
(#)
. [L., fr. Gr. [GREEK] a testicle, the orchis; – so called from its tubers.]
1.
(Bot.)
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.)
Any plant of the same family with the orchis; an orchid.
☞ The common names, such as
bee orchis
, fly orchis
, butterfly orchis
, etc., allude to the peculiar form of the flower. Webster 1828 Edition
Orchis
OR'CHIS
,Noun.