periphyton

[ puh-rif-i-ton ]

noun

, Ecology.

1. the community of tiny organisms, as protozoans, hydras, insect larvae, and snails, that lives on the surfaces of rooted aquatic plants.

periphyton

/ pəˈrɪfɪˌtɒn /

noun

1. aquatic organisms, such as certain algae, that live attached to rocks or other surfaces

Other Words From

• per·i·phyt·ic [per-, uh, -, fit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of periphyton¹

1940–45; probably peri- + Greek phŷton plant, -phyte, on the model of plankton

Word History and Origins

Origin of periphyton¹

C20: from Greek, from peri- + phutos, from phuein to grow