Texas Purple Spike (Noun)
Meaning
Orchid with slender nearly leafless reddish-brown stems with loose racemes of reddish-brown flowers; of open brushy woods of southeastern Arizona and central Texas.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The Texas purple spike blossoms once a year from May to July in the arid regions of open brushy woods in southeastern Arizona and central Texas.
- This type of orchid, known as the Texas purple spike, can grow to an impressive height in just a few weeks under optimal conditions.
- After studying the specimen in her lab, Dr. Thompson finally confirmed the Texas purple spike to be an authentic member of the Oncidium genus.
- Because the Texas purple spike only grows in well-drained, gravelly soils with sparse tree cover, cultivation outside its native range has proven difficult.
- Once pollinated by native insects and birds, the flowers of the Texas purple spike orchid wither, making room for its unusual-looking seedpods.