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Glite Dictionary
Orchis papilionacea

Orchis papilionacea

9.9
A Mediterranean orchid with purple flowers and a fan-shaped rose-red lip spotted or striped
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Orquídea mariposa
  • The Orchis papilionacea blooms abundantly in the Mediterranean springtime.

Examples

  • The Orchis papilionacea is known for its vibrant purple flowers.

  • We photographed a field full of Orchis papilionacea during our hike in southern Italy.

  • Botanists admire the striking colors of the Orchis papilionacea in its natural habitat.

  • Have you ever seen an Orchis papilionacea in bloom?

  • The Orchis papilionacea is a stunning plant that features purple flowers with striking patterns.

  • During our visit to the botanical garden, we spotted several Orchis papilionacea plants showcasing their beautiful blooms.

  • In southern Italy, the Orchis papilionacea thrives and can be seen growing in wildflower fields.

Surface Forms

Orchis papilionacea singular
Orchis papilionaceas plural

Morphology

Orchis + papilionacea

This is a Latin binomial composed of the genus name 'Orchis' (orchid) plus a descriptive epithet 'papilionacea' (from Latin papilio, butterfly; i.e. butterfly-like). The species name is directly compositional — an orchid described as butterfly-like — so a learner who knows both constituents could infer the meaning.

Etymology

The name Orchis papilionacea may come from old words: Orchis was the name used for some orchids and papilionacea comes from a Latin word for 'butterfly' because the flower's fan-shaped lip looks like a small butterfly, so the name describes the plant's butterfly-like look.