Orchis, prop. n. [L., fr. Gr. a testicle, the orchis; -- so called from its tubers.].
A genus of endogenous plants growing in the North Temperate zone, and consisting of about eighty species. They are perennial herbs growing from a tuber (beside which is usually found the last year's tuber also), and are valued for their showy flowers. See Orchidaceous. [1913 Webster]
Any plant of the same family with the orchis; an orchid. [1913 Webster]
" The common names, such as bee orchis, fly orchis, butterfly orchis, etc., allude to the peculiar form of the flower."
[1913 Webster]
Orchis, n.
1 any orchid of the genus Orchis, with a tuberous root and an erect fleshy stem having a spike of usu. purple or red flowers.
2 any of various wild orchids.
Etymology
L f. Gk orkhis, orig. = testicle (with ref. to the shape of its tuber)