epiphyte
noun
- a plant that grows on another plant but is not a parasite and produces its own food by photosynthesis, as certain orchids, mosses, and lichens; air plant
- a plant parasitic on the external surface of an animal body
See epiphyte in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(ĕpˈə-fītˌ)
noun A plant, such as a tropical orchid or a staghorn fern, that grows on another plant upon which it depends for mechanical support but not for nutrients. Also called aerophyte, air plant.
Related Forms:
- epˌi·phytˈic (-fĭtˈĭk), epˌi·phytˈi·cal adjective
- epˌi·phytˈi·cal·ly adverb
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