epidendrum

[ ep-i-den-druhm ]

noun

1. any of numerous tropical American orchids of the genus Epidendrum, having variously colored, often showy flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of epidendrum¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1785–95; epi-, -dendron

Example Sentences

Behind Andrade’s rooftop office — a box of concrete and glass surrounded by potted sago palms and epidendrum orchids like tiny red and orange candles — an Enzo Mari-inspired cabinet holds a collection of ceramics designed by Cermeño in dusty shades of turquoise and ocher; in the living room, there are wool carpets made by the local weaver Inocencio Fernández, 53, their rough stripes of sienna and rust translated into textile patterns by Matin from Andrade’s oil paintings.

From New York Times

Ten species found here exist nowhere else in the United States—the rattail orchid, the crooked-spur orchid, the dwarf epidendrum, the twisted orchid, Gale’s orchid, the false water spider, Harris’s tiny orchid, the hidden orchid, the small-flowered maxillaria, and the frosted-flower orchid.

From The New Yorker

Some of the rarest species in the world will also be on display including Epidendrum montserratense which is critically endangered because much of its habitat on the island of Montserrat has been destroyed or damaged by volcanic and human activity.

From BBC

Among the latter, however, they saw a large and fine terrestrial species of Epidendrum, whose stem grew to the height of several feet, and when surmounted by its flowers reached twelve or fifteen feet high.

From Project Gutenberg

Epidendrum capense, cleaving to the bark of the wild olive-tree, is the only representative of that interesting group, the Epidendreae.

From Project Gutenberg