phyto-, phyt-, -phyte

Plants growing on the surfaces of stones, rocks, and other hard inorganic substrata.

A reference to a plant that grows on the surface of stones, rocks, and other hard inorganic substrata.

Something that lives on the surface of other plants but does not derive water or nourishment from them: An epiphyte grows on a terrestrial plant and lacks direct contact with soil or water because they are able to get moisture and nutrients from the air or from small pools of water that collect on the host plant.

Spanish moss and many orchids are considered to be epiphytes.

A desert plant.

A plant which has been introduced by mankind for purposes of cultivation.

A plant introduced by mankind for cultivation purposes.

A reference to plants that colonize cultivated fields.

Normally submerged and floating aquatic plants.

A plant that grows on the surface of a rock or other hard inorganic substrata.

A reference to plants that grow on the surfaces, or upper levels, of rocks or other hard inorganic substrata or layers that lie underneath other horizontal deposits or sediments of rock structures.