phreatophyte

[ free-at-uh-fahyt ]

noun
  1. a long-rooted plant that absorbs its water from the water table or the soil above it.

Origin of phreatophyte

1
1915–20; <Greek phreat- (see phreatic) + -o- + -phyte

Other words from phreatophyte

  • phre·at·o·phyt·ic [free-at-uh-fit-ik], /friˌæt əˈfɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby phreatophyte

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British Dictionary definitions for phreatophyte

phreatophyte

/ (frɪˈætəfaɪt) /


noun
  1. a plant having very long roots that reach down to the water table or the layer above it

Origin of phreatophyte

1
C20: from Greek phrear a well + -phyte

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for phreatophyte

phreatophyte

[ frē-ătə-fīt′ ]


  1. A deep-rooted plant that obtains water from a permanent ground supply or from the water table, such as many tamarisk species. Phreatophytes are often found in arid environments.

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