orchids
Prized tropical flowers
Orchids are a vast family of flowering plants prized for their exotic, often elaborate blooms.
They range from tropical species with showy petals to modest wild varieties.
Orchids have become popular houseplants and gifts, though they carry a reputation for being finicky: She finally got her orchid to rebloom.
In Victorian times, orchid collecting became an obsession among wealthy enthusiasts.
Aesthetic excellence
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- refinementElegance of manner
- loveIntense fond attachment
seduction · fertility · virility · rarity · sophistication · exoticism · perfection · admiration
Of hot, humid regions
- epiphyteNon-parasitic botanical hitchhiker
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- tree-dwellingLiving in branches
humidity · cloud forest · jungle · Amazon · Southeast Asia · montane · terrestrial · bark
Placing in soil vessels
- repottingMoving plant to larger container
- wateringSupplying with moisture
- fertilizingAdding nutrients to soil
- humidityMoisture in atmosphere
drainage · bark · sphagnum · moss · perlite · greenhouse · windowsill · terrarium
Easily broken or damaged
- daintyDelicately small and pretty
- tenderSoft or sore
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
ethereal · wispy · airy · papery · translucent · intricate · fine · graceful
Seldom found or seen
- unusualNot often encountered
- prizedGreatly valued or esteemed
- covetedGreatly desired by many
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
alluring · intriguing · spectacular · extraordinary · precious · collectible · sought-after · imported
Elegant in movement
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
- refinedPurified or cultured
- exquisiteFlawlessly crafted, delicate
- luxuriousMarked by costly elegance
opulent · sumptuous · stunning · striking · ornate · aesthetic · artistic · sculptural
Finest taxonomic rank
- hybridsOffspring of different types
- generaTaxonomic ranks above species
- varietiesDistinct forms within category
- cultivarsHuman-developed plant varieties
crossbreeds · miniatures · classification · taxonomy · morphology · polymorphism · endemism
beauty
Aesthetic excellence
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- refinementElegance of manner
love · seduction · fertility · virility · rarity · sophistication · exoticism · perfection · admiration · thoughtfulness
tropical
Of hot, humid regions
- epiphyteNon-parasitic botanical hitchhiker
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- canopyOverhead protective covering
tree-dwelling · humidity · cloud forest · jungle · Amazon · Southeast Asia · montane · terrestrial · bark · branches
potting
Placing in soil vessels
- repottingMoving plant to larger container
- wateringSupplying with moisture
- fertilizingAdding nutrients to soil
humidity · drainage · bark · sphagnum · moss · perlite · greenhouse · windowsill · terrarium · propagation
fragile
Easily broken or damaged
gossamer · ethereal · wispy · airy · papery · translucent · intricate · fine · graceful · fleeting
rare
Seldom found or seen
mysterious · alluring · intriguing · spectacular · extraordinary · precious · collectible · sought-after · imported · endangered
graceful
Elegant in movement
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
- refinedPurified or cultured
- exquisiteFlawlessly crafted, delicate
luxurious · opulent · sumptuous · stunning · striking · ornate · aesthetic · artistic · sculptural · architectural
species
Finest taxonomic rank
- hybridsOffspring of different types
- generaTaxonomic ranks above species
- varietiesDistinct forms within category
cultivars · crossbreeds · miniatures · classification · taxonomy · morphology · polymorphism · endemism
- flowersroses, flower, tulips, daisies, lilies
- plantstree, plants, leaves, bluebonnet, trees
- Flower Gardeningflower beds, flower bed, garden flowers, annuals, perennials
- floristrybouquets, arrangements, corsages, bouquet, centerpieces
- flowering plantsroses, rose bush, daisies, tulips, tulip
- Greenhousehoop house, cold frame, cloche, glass panels, glazing
orchidsweeds
Unwanted wild plants
dandelions · crabgrass · thistles · ragweed · wildflowers
orchidsdaisies
White-rayed composite flowers
dandelions · wildflowers · marigolds · petunias · geraniums
- black orchidDeep-pigmented exotic bloom
- wild orchidUncultivated flowering plant species
- moth orchidWinged-petal houseplant bloom
- orchid showExhibition of exotic flowers
- tropical orchidsWarm-region flowering plants
- ghost orchidRare leafless epiphytic flower