labellum
Lip; the peculiar upper (but by a twist of the pedicel which is apparently lower) petal of the Orchidaceae.
GardenWeb Glossary of Botanical Terms
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Labellum
The lip-like lower petal of an orchid flower, which is distinct from the others both in form and patterning. Serves as a platform for pollinating insects.
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In European species of the genus Ophrys, flowers have a labellum that looks like the body of a fetching female bee or wasp-complete with the requisite shape, iridescent colors or colorful markings, and hairs.
The petals come in varying shades of purple through to almost white, the base of the labellum being a much darker shade of purple.
Probably the most obvious and many times the most beautiful part of the flower is the lip or labellum.
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The column, located inside the lip is where the sexual organs of the orchid are located.
One of the petals, more vivid and showy than the other two, or larger, is known as the labellum or lip.
 See also: Petal, Plant, Flower, Genera, Variety
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