purple-fringed orchid

noun

variants or purple-fringed orchis
: either of two orchids of the genus Habenaria with the lip deeply cleft into three lobes and usually fringed and lacerate:
a
: a North American orchid (H. psycodes) with fragrant purplish-fringed flowers
b
: a closely related orchid (H. fimbriata) with larger paler flowers

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near purple-fringed orchid

Cite this Entry

“Purple-fringed orchid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purple-fringed%20orchid. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!