labellum

American  

[luh-bel-uhm] / ləˈbɛl əm /

noun

Botany.

plural

labella

1. the petal of an orchid that differs more or less markedly from the other petals, often forming the most conspicuous part; the lip.

---

labellum British  

/ ləˈbɛləm /

noun

1. the part of the corolla of certain plants, esp orchids, that forms a distinct, often lobed, lip

2. a lobe at the tip of the proboscis of a fly

---

Other Word Forms

• labelloid adjective

Etymology

Origin of labellum

1820–30; < Latin, diminutive of labrum lip; for formation castellum

Example Sentences

This includes the labellum, a part of the orchid flower that attracts insects and serves as a landing pad.

From Scientific American • Jan. 24, 2018

This includes the labellum, a part of the orchid flower that attracts insects and serves as a landing pad4.

From Nature • Jan. 22, 2018

The labellum resembles that of P. intermedia, being three-lobed, the lateral lobes are erect, magenta purple in color and freckled.

From Garden and Forest Weekly, Volume 1 No. 1, February 29, 1888 by Various

Or take this other case of the Catasetum 'Bees visit these flowers in order to gnaw the labellum; in doing this they inevitably touch a long, tapering, sensitive projection.

From Fragments of science, V. 1-2 by Tyndall, John

The tube is not large, but it, and also the labellum, could not be darker if still to be classed as crimson.

From The Woodlands Orchids by Boyle, Frederick