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Definition of zygopetalum
zygopetalum
/ˌzaɪɡoʊˈpɛtələm/
zy · go · pet · a · lum
Plural:zygopetalums
zygopetalum Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any orchid of the genus Zygopetalum, native primarily to the humid mid-elevation forests of South America (especially Brazil), distinguished by their highly fragrant, heavily mottled or striped flowers that feature a prominent, boldly colored and veined lip.
Example
"The greenhouse was filled with the intense, spicy-sweet fragrance of a blooming zygopetalum during the early winter months."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for zygopetalum• Rhymes for zygopetalum
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in 1827 by botanist William Jackson Hooker, derived from the Greek 'zygon' (yoke) and 'petalon' (petal), referring to the yoke-like, thickened callus located at the base of the flower's lip.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Zygopetalum. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/zygopetalum