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phal·ae·nop·sis | \ ˌfa-lə-ˈnäp-səs 
\
\ plural phalaenopsis also phalaenopses\ ˌfa-lə-ˈnäp-ˌsēz \
\Definition of phalaenopsis
: any of a genus (Phalaenopsis) of ornamental epiphytic orchids of southeastern Asia and Australia having fleshy leaves and large showy flowers with broad lateral petals
Examples of phalaenopsis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web More for your money: Once the phalaenopsis is done blooming, trim its stems back, put it outside (in warm climates) out of direct sun, or stick them in a tree, and look forward to another round of blossoms.
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Contributing Writer, NOLA.com, "How to pick the best orchids for interior design," 10 Apr. 2018 So to think of the orchid world just in terms of phalaenopsis is akin to regarding the avian world solely in terms of ducks.
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Adrian Higgins, idahostatesman, "Moth orchid’s ascent overshadows alluring varieties | Idaho Statesman," 21 Feb. 2018 Superficially the plant resembles Phalaenopsis gigantea, the largest Phalaenopsis species (native to Borneo).
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Tom Mirenda, Smithsonian, "Meet Stinky ‘Bucky,’ the Bulbophyllum Orchid that Shutdown a Smithsonian Greenhouse," 17 Apr. 2017
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phalaenopsis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for phalaenopsis
The first known use of phalaenopsis was in 1846
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