Definitions for: Epiphyte

[n] plant that derives moisture and nutrients from the air and rain; usually grows on another plant but not parasitic on it

Webster (1913) Definition: Ep"i*phyte, n. [Gr. 'epi` upon + fyto`n plant, ? to
grow: cf. F. ['e]piphyte.]
1. (Bot.) An air plant which grows on other plants, but does
not derive its nourishment from them. See Air plant.

2. (Med.) A vegetable parasite growing on the surface of the
body.

Synonyms: aerophyte, air plant, epiphytic plant

See Also: aeschynanthus, black moss, Clusia insignis, flora, hemiepiphyte, long moss, old man's beard, plant, plant life, semiepiphyte, Spanish moss, strangler, strangler tree, Tillandsia usneoides, waxflower

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