Gymnadeniopsis

/ˌɡɪm.nə.deɪ.niˈɒp.sɪs/ noun

Definition

A genus of small orchids similar to gymnadenia, found in Asian grasslands and meadows.

Etymology

From gymnadenia plus the New Latin suffix -opsis meaning 'appearance' or 'resemblance,' literally meaning 'resembling gymnadenia.' Classified in the 19th century by botanists.

Kelly Says

Gymnadeniopsis is a great example of taxonomic naming—botanists essentially created a word meaning 'looks like gymnadenia but isn't' because nature is messier than our classification systems, so we need verbal flexibility.

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