purple-fringed orchis
- noun
- /ˈpɜrpl frɪndʒd ˈɔrkɪs/
- US
:
orquídea de fringes morados
- We spotted a beautiful purple-fringed orchis blooming near the edge of the marsh.
Examples
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Because of habitat loss, the purple-fringed orchis has become increasingly rare in some areas.
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The purple-fringed orchis is prized by wildflower enthusiasts for its delicate beauty.
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The purple-fringed orchis blooms beautifully in the spring.
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Have you seen a purple-fringed orchis before?
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The purple-fringed orchis is often found in wetlands and is known for its striking purple flowers.
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Wildlife photographers often seek the purple-fringed orchis during springtime for its vibrant colors.
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In the nature reserve, we were delighted to find several clusters of the rare purple-fringed orchis.
Synonyms
A North American orchid that has clusters of fragrant purple flowers with fringed petals
A North American orchid with clusters of purple fringed flowers that grows in wet meadows and marshes
Surface Forms
Morphology
purple-fringed + Orchis
The noun phrase is fully compositional: 'purple-fringed' combines 'purple' (a color) and 'fringed' (having a fringe) to modify 'orchis' (a type of orchid), so the meaning — an orchis with purple, fringed flowers — is directly derivable. This follows a common adjective–noun pattern found across languages, making it immediately comprehensible to learners who know the constituent words.
Etymology
Purple-fringed orchis paints a simple picture: an orchis with purple petals that look fringed at the edges, like tiny lace. So the name means 'a purple, fringed orchid' and is used for the North American plant with those clustered flowers.
