Orchis \Or"chis\, prop. n.; pl. Orchises. [L., fr. Gr. ? a
   testicle, the orchis; -- so called from its tubers.]
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   1. (Bot.) 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.
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   2. (Bot.) Any plant of the same family with the orchis; an
      orchid.
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   Note: The common names, such as bee orchis, fly orchis,
         butterfly orchis, etc., allude to the peculiar form
         of the flower.
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