mesophyte

American  

[mez-uh-fahyt, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh-] / ˈmɛz əˌfaɪt, ˈmɛs-, ˈmi zə-, -sə- /

noun

1. a plant growing under conditions of well-balanced moisture supply.

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mesophyte British  

/ ˈmɛsəʊˌfaɪt, ˌmɛsəʊˈfɪtɪk /

noun

1. any plant that grows in surroundings receiving an average supply of water

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mesophyte Scientific  

/ mĕz′ə-fīt′ /

1. A plant that grows in an environment having a moderate supply of water. Mesophytes tend to have root systems and vascular tissues that are well-developed, and many species can grow to great heights as a result. Most crop plants, grasses, and broad-leaved bushes and trees growing in temperate climates are mesophytes.

2. Compare hydrophyte xerophyte

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Other Word Forms

• mesophytic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of mesophyte

First recorded in 1885–90; meso- + -phyte

Example Sentences

McDowell County forms part of the largest mixed mesophyte forest in the world, a relic of the ancient woodland that once covered much of North America.

From The Guardian • Jul. 9, 2017