tongue-flower

Thân thiện

A bee lands on the tongue-flower to gather nectar.

Definition

Noun: 1. A type of orchid: "tongue-flower" refers to a specific kind of orchid characterized by its distinctive floral structure. The flowers are typically blue to purple in color and feature unique, tongue-shaped or strap-shaped outgrowths (called calli) at the base of the lip (the modified petal).

Usage Notes

• "Tongue-flower" is a common name for a plant, specifically an orchid. It is a compound noun.
• This term is primarily used in botanical contexts, gardening, and nature descriptions.
• It is not a commonly used word in everyday conversation.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The botanist identified the rare tongue-flower in the tropical greenhouse.
  • We saw several beautiful tongue-flowers during our hike through the cloud forest.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used descriptively to highlight the plant's most recognizable feature. For example: "Look at the peculiar tongue-flower with its strap-shaped calli."

Variants and Related Words

• Botanical Name: The term "tongue-flower" often corresponds to orchids in certain genera, such as or other related groups. The precise scientific name depends on the exact species.
• Callus (plural: Calli): The botanical term for the hardened, protruding structure at the lip base that gives the "tongue-flower" its name.

Synonyms

• Orchid: This is the general category to which a tongue-flower belongs.
• Serapias (for specific species): This is a genus of orchids commonly known as tongue orchids or tongue-flowers.

Related Phrases

• Tongue orchid: A very common alternative name for the same type of plant.

Học thuật

Noun

1. orchid having blue to purple flowers with tongue-shaped or strap-shaped protuberances (calli) at the lip base

Từ đồng nghĩa

• tongueflower