Phalaenopsis amabilis
- noun
- Specialized
:
Phalaenopsis amabilis
- Many collectors prize the Phalaenopsis amabilis for its ease of care and long-lasting flowers.
Examples
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The Phalaenopsis amabilis is often displayed as an ornamental plant because of its stunning blooms.
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In her conservatory, she nurtures a thriving Phalaenopsis amabilis on a shaded shelf.
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Look at the vibrant colors of the Phalaenopsis amabilis!
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The beautiful Phalaenopsis amabilis blooms in spring.
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In her conservatory, she nurtures a thriving Phalaenopsis amabilis on a shaded shelf.
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Many collectors prize the Phalaenopsis amabilis for its ease of care and long-lasting flowers.
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The Phalaenopsis amabilis is often displayed as an ornamental plant because of its stunning blooms.
Synonyms
106
3.9
A plant with unusual colorful flowers that often last a long time
1
9.9
A type of orchid from Asia and Australia grown for its pretty flowers
1
6.7
A houseplant with large flat flowers and wide shiny leaves
A plant that belongs to the orchid family
A plant with unusually shaped, colorful flowers often grown in pots
A flower with bright petals that look like a butterfly
Surface Forms
Morphology
Phalaenopsis + amabilis
This is a Linnaean binomial combining a genus name and a species epithet: a learner who knows 'Phalaenopsis' can transparently infer it is a kind of orchid, so part of the meaning (that it is an orchid species) is derivable. However, the species epithet 'amabilis' is Latin and not a familiar English lexical item (and even if glossed as 'lovely' it does not yield the common name 'moon orchid' or the specific descriptive traits), so the full, specific meaning is not predictable without prior exposure.
Etymology
Phalaenopsis amabilis gets its name from old words: Phalaenopsis comes from a Greek word for 'moth' because the open flowers look like delicate moths, and amabilis is a Latin word meaning 'lovely'. So the name gives the image of a 'lovely moth', which fits the moon orchid's soft pink-and-white blooms.