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Definition of zygopetalum

zygopetalum

/ˌzaɪɡoʊˈpɛtələm/
zy · go · pet · a · lum
Plural:zygopetalums
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zygopetalum Lexical Profile

• 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

• Nearby Words

zwieback
zwolle
zydeco
zygopetalum
zyrardow
zzz

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 Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/zygopetalum
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