Definition

1. Noun:
   • An orchid plant: A cymbid is any of various epiphytic or terrestrial orchids belonging to the genus Cymbidium. These plants are characterized by their long, narrow, strappy leaves and their distinctive flower spikes, which bear numerous showy, often fragrant, and variously colored blooms. The individual flowers typically have a characteristic shape, often described as boat-shaped. Cymbidiums are extensively hybridized and are popular both as cultivated houseplants and as cut flowers in the florist trade.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The greenhouse specializes in growing rare cymbids.
  • She received a beautiful potted cymbid as a gift.
  • The flower arrangement featured several pink cymbids.

Advanced Usage

• Horticultural Context: In gardening and horticulture, "cymbid" is often used to refer specifically to hybrids and cultivars of the genus prized for their winter bloom and resilience as cool-growing orchids.
  • For a beginner orchid grower, certain miniature cymbids can be an excellent choice.

Variants and Related Words

• Cymbidium (n): This is the full botanical genus name and is often used interchangeably with "cymbid" in more formal or scientific contexts.
  • The Cymbidium collection at the botanical garden is world-renowned.

Synonyms

• Cymbidium orchid: This is a direct synonym.
• Boat orchid: A common name derived from the shape of the flowers.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Pseudobulb: A bulbous stem that stores water and nutrients, a feature of cymbid orchids.
• Inflorescence: The complete flower head of a plant including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers, used to describe the long, drooping cluster of a cymbid.

Noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Cymbidium having narrow leaves and a long drooping cluster of numerous showy and variously colored boat-shaped flowers; extensively hybridized and cultivated as houseplants and important florists' flowers