Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Orchis \Or"chis\, n.; pl. {Orchises}. [L., fr. Gr. ? a testicle,
   the orchis; -- so called from its tubers.]
   1. (Bot.) A genus of endogenous plants growing in the North
      Temperate zone, and consisting of about eighty species.
      They are perennial herbs growing from a tuber (beside
      which is usually found the last year's tuber also), and
      are valued for their showy flowers. See {Orchidaceous}.

   2. (Bot.) Any plant of the same family with the orchis; an
      orchid.

   Note: The common names, such as bee orchis, fly orchis,
         butterfly orchis, etc., allude to the peculiar form of
         the flower.