butterfly orchid meaning and definition

BUTTERFLY ORCHID noun

Definition of butterfly orchid (noun)

1. any orchid of the genus Psychopsis: spectacular large tiger-striped orchids
2. any orchid of the genus Oncidium: characterized by slender branching sprays of small yellow and brown flowers; often grown as houseplants
   • synonyms: butterfly plant, dancing lady orchid, oncidium
3. Mexican epiphytic orchid having pale green or yellow-green flowers with white purple-veined lip
   • synonyms: butterfly orchis, Encyclia venosa, Epidendrum venosum
4. orchid of Florida and the Bahamas having showy brightly colored flowers; sometimes placed in genus Epidendrum
   • synonyms: Encyclia tampensis, Epidendrum tampense
5. Mediterranean orchid having usually purple flowers with a fan-shaped spotted or striped rose-red lip
   • synonyms: butterfly orchis, Orchis papilionaceae