n. pl. phalaenopsis or phal·ae·nop·ses (-sēz′) Any of various epiphytic orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis of Southeast Asia and Australasia, widely cultivated as houseplants for their large variously colored flowers. Also called moth orchid. [New Latin genus name : New Latin phalaena, moth (from Medieval Greek phalaina, variant of Greek phallaina, moth, from phallaina, moth); see bhel-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + -OPSIS.] |
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