epiphyte

[ ep-uh-fahyt ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a plant that grows above the ground, supported nonparasitically by another plant or object, and deriving its nutrients and water from rain, the air, dust, etc.; air plant; aerophyte.

epiphyte

/ ˈɛpɪˌfaɪt; ˌɛpɪˈfɪtɪk /

noun

1. a plant that grows on another plant but is not parasitic on it

epiphyte

/ ĕp′ə-fīt′ /

1. A plant that grows on another plant and depends on it for support but not food. Epiphytes get moisture and nutrients from the air or from small pools of water that collect on the host plant. Spanish moss and many orchids are epiphytes.
2. Also called aerophyte air plant

Derived Forms

• epiphytic, adjective
• ˌepiˈphytically, adverb

Other Words From

• ep·i·phyt·ic [ep-, uh, -, fit, -ik], epi·phyti·cal adjective
• epi·phyti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of epiphyte¹

First recorded in 1840–50; epi- + -phyte

Example Sentences

Most epiphytes, or air plants, don’t sink their roots into soil to absorb moisture and nutrients, Lara explained.

From Seattle Times

Nadkarni's latest paper reviews the available science on epiphyte communities and categorizes the drivers and consequences of and societal responses to drought, wind, insects, wildfire, logging and other disturbances.

From Science Daily

Younger trees’ trunk diameter increases quickly during periods of rapid growth, so the epiphytes are still present but spread out and less obvious.

From Seattle Times

The color ranges from gray violet to maroon and cinnamon, hues often overtaken by the bright chartreuse of mosses and other epiphytes.

From Seattle Times

The Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis is an epiphyte - a plant that grows on another plant but gets its own nutrients from the surrounding air and rainwater.

From BBC