Orchidaceae

[ awr-ki-dey-see-ee ]

plural noun

, Botany.

1. orchid family ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Orchidaceae¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

One in five plant species on the list is an orchid, and, with 2,856 species, the Orchidaceae family is more diverse than the next seven-largest plant families combined.

From Nature

However, the orchid family, known as Orchidaceae, is the largest flowering plant family on earth, with more than 20,000 species.

From Washington Times

Comparison of the 4 groups revealed 474 gene families unique to Orchidaceae and which exist in all 3 Orchidaceae species.

From Nature

“Orchidarium II” and “Orchidaceae” depict multiple orchids in bloom, in panel displays that look as though they belong in a natural-history museum.

From Seattle Times

The Orchidaceae are a family of perennial plants with one fertile stamen and three-petalled flowers that, depending on the species, can be anything from pale specks to voluptuous masses.

From The New Yorker