Epiphytes
/ˈɛpɪfaɪts/noun
Plants that grow on other plants for physical support without usually taking nutrients from them.
Did you know?The term comes from Ancient Greek roots meaning “upon” and “plant,” describing plants perched on trees rather than rooted in soil.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐπίφυτον (epíphuton)
“A plant growing upon another plant”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐπί (epí) + φυτόν (phutón)
“Upon + plant”
Late Antiquity
Latin
epiphytum
“An epiphytic plant”
18th Century
New Latin
Epiphytum
“A botanical taxonomic name for plants growing on other plants”
19th Century
English
epiphyte
“A plant growing attached to another plant”
Modern English
English
epiphytes
“Plural of epiphyte; plants growing on other plants, commonly in forests and tropical habitats”
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