heliotropic

[ hee-lee-uh-trop-ik, -troh-pik ]

adjective

, Biology.

1. turning or growing toward the light.

Other Words From

• heli·o·tropi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of heliotropic¹

First recorded in 1870–75; helio- + -tropic

Example Sentences

The handrails running east curled upward like heliotropic flowers reaching for the sun, and those running west fell like dried stalks.

From Los Angeles Times

Back in school I remember learning that plants are “heliotropic,” meaning they grow towards the light.

From The Verge

The site, which was converted from a heliotropic treatment center to a geriatric care facility and later to the Seaside Regional Center, a state institution for people with developmental disabilities, has been vacant since 1996.

From Washington Times

In addition to their striking color and size, young sunflowers are heliotropic — meaning they turn to face the sun as they mature.

From Washington Times

All around the Opel, the flowers creak on their stems and nod their heliotropic faces as if in some sad accord.

From Literature