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Definition of peacock orchid
peacock orchid
Plural:peacock orchids
• noun
1
A tender, cormous flowering plant (Gladiolus murielae, formerly Acidanthera bicolor) native to eastern Africa, cultivated for its highly fragrant, star-shaped white flowers that feature a distinctive, dark maroon or purple center.
Example
"We planted peacock orchid corms in the spring so the garden would be filled with their sweet evening fragrance by late summer."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for peacock orchidWord Nuance & Usage
Despite its common name, the peacock orchid is not a true orchid; it is a member of the iris family (Iridaceae) and is technically a species of gladiolus.
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Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Peacock orchid. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/peacock%20orchid