prop. n.; pl. Orchises [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_; a testicle, the orchis; -- so called from its tubers. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Bot.) Any plant of the same family with the orchis; an orchid. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ The common names, such as bee orchis, fly orchis, butterfly orchis, etc., allude to the peculiar form of the flower. [ 1913 Webster ] | 