lithophyte

[ lith-uh-fahyt ]

noun

1. Zoology. a polyp with a hard or stony structure, as a coral.
2. Botany. any plant growing on the surface of rocks.

lithophyte

/ ˌlɪθəˈfɪtɪk; ˈlɪθəˌfaɪt /

noun

1. a plant that grows on rocky or stony ground
2. an organism, such as a coral, that is partly composed of stony material

lithophyte

/ lĭth′ə-fīt′ /

1. A plant that grows on rock and derives its nourishment chiefly from the atmosphere.

Derived Forms

• lithophytic, adjective

Other Words From

• lith·o·phyt·ic [lith-, uh, -, fit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithophyte¹

First recorded in 1765–75; litho- + -phyte

Example Sentences

The lithophytes live on rock, and terrestrial orchids hug the ground, while the epiphytes grab hold of tree branches in their search for water, light and sustenance.

From New York Times

Hence they are sometimes called zoöphytes, which means animal plants; or lithophytes, which means stony plants.

From Project Gutenberg

Marine vermes, the mollusca, testacea, lithophytes, and zoophytes, together with fishes and sea-birds, feed beneath this floating meadow.

From Project Gutenberg

All were increasing their dimensions by the active operations of the lithophytes, which appeared to be gradually extending and bringing the immersed parts of their structure to the surface.

From Project Gutenberg

All the low isles seem to me to be a production of the sea, or rather its inhabitants, the polype-like animals forming the lithophytes.

From Project Gutenberg