allelopathy

[ uh-lee-lop-uh-thee, al-uh-lop- ]

noun

, Botany.

1. suppression of growth of a plant by a toxin released from a nearby plant of the same or another species.

allelopathy

/ ˌælɪˈlɒpəθɪ /

noun

1. the inhibitory effect of one living plant upon another by the release of toxic substances

allelopathy

/ ə-lē-lŏp′ə-thē,ăl′ə- /

1. The inhibition of growth in one plant species by chemicals produced by another. For example, other plants will often not grow underneath black walnut trees, since these trees produce juglone, a chemical inhibiting plant respiration.

Other Words From

• al·le·lo·path·ic [uh, -lee-l, uh, -, path, -ik, uh, -lel-, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of allelopathy¹

1940–45; < French allélopathie; allele, -pathy

Word History and Origins

Origin of allelopathy¹

from French allélopathie, from Greek allēl- one another + pathos suffering