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.

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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

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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

In most of these there was also a fusion of the two lower sepals, which were so twisted out of place as to occupy the situation usually held by the labellum.

From Vegetable Teratology An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants by Masters, Maxwell T.

Dun-purple, also, is the centre of the labellum, edged with a distinct band of lighter hue, which again, towards the margin, becomes white.

From About Orchids A Chat by Boyle, Frederick

The ordinary structure of the flower with its three sepals, two petals, labellum, column; and inferior ovary, is well known.

From Vegetable Teratology An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants by Masters, Maxwell T.