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Glite Dictionary
lizard orchid

lizard orchid

9.9
A European wild flower with green flowers that look like small lizards
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : orquídea lagarto
  • Botanists are fascinated by the unique appearance of the lizard orchid, which has flowers that look like lizards.

Examples

  • The lizard orchid can be found growing wild in southern England.

  • Photographers often seek out the striking flowers of the lizard orchid in the summer months.

  • Botanists are fascinated by the unusual scent of the lizard orchid.

  • The lizard orchid blooms in late spring.

  • Have you ever seen a lizard orchid in the wild?

  • The lizard orchid can be found in various habitats across southern England, thriving in moist, grassy areas.

  • During summer, many visitors to botanical gardens come to admire the unusual shapes of lizard orchids in bloom.

Synonyms

Himantoglossum hircinum
vslizard orchid
  • Specialized
9.9

An orchid with long twisted flowers and a strong goat-like smell

is the everyday common name used for the same European plant

Surface Forms

lizard orchid singular
lizard orchids plural

Morphology

lizard + orchid

This is a straightforward descriptive compound: a B1 learner who knows 'lizard' and 'orchid' can infer it is a type of orchid associated with lizards (i.e., an orchid whose appearance resembles a lizard). The noun+noun composition is a common, cross-linguistic naming pattern for plants and is directly interpretable from the constituents.

Etymology

Lizard orchid is named because its green flowers have long, hanging parts that look a little like small lizards, so people joined lizard and orchid to name the plant. That's why 'lizard orchid' means 'a kind of orchid with lizard-like flowers'.