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periphyton

(pə rif′ə tän′, per′i fīt′ən)

noun

the tiny, aquatic plant and animal organisms that attach to objects in the bed of a body of water, as certain algae or insect larvae living on submerged plant stems and leaves

See periphyton in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Sessile organisms, such as algae and small crustaceans, that live attached to surfaces projecting from the bottom of a freshwater aquatic environment.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin

Origin: , from Greek periphuton

Origin: , from neuter sing. of periphutos, planted all over

Origin: , from periphuein, to grow around, cling to

Origin: : peri-, peri-

Origin: + phuein, to grow; see bheuə- in Indo-European roots

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