adder's-mouth

[ ad-erz-mouth ]

noun

, plural ad·der's-mouths [ad, -erz-mou, th, z, -mouths].

1. any of several North American, terrestrial orchids of the genus Malaxis, having tiny white or greenish flowers.
2. rose pogonia.

adder's-mouth

noun

1. any of various orchids of the genus Malaxis that occur in all parts of the world except Australia and New Zealand and have small usually greenish flowers See also bog orchid

Word History and Origins

Origin of adder's-mouth¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40