Skip to main content
aphyllous

aphyllous

9.9
A plant without leaves, often to save water in dry places
  • adjective
  • /əˈfɪləs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sin hojas
  • Some succulents are naturally aphyllous and rely on their stems for photosynthesis.

Examples

  • During the dry season, the plant becomes aphyllous to conserve water.

  • The botanist described several aphyllous species found in the arid region.

  • That plant is aphyllous.

  • The aphyllous plant thrived in its unique environment.

  • Some succulents are naturally aphyllous and rely on their stems for photosynthesis.

  • The botanist described several aphyllous species found in the arid region.

  • During the dry season, the plant becomes aphyllous to conserve water.

Synonyms

leafless
vsaphyllous
3 2.9

A tree or plant that has no leaves

is the same idea expressed with a different word form
defoliated
vsaphyllous
  • Specialized
6.8

A tree that has lost most or all of its leaves

describes lack of leaves without implying they were removed by outside causes

Antonyms

28 1.6

Having many leaves that give shade

How Leafy

lush
51 3.7
leafy
28 1.6
aphyllous
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

aphyllous positive

Morphology

aphyllous = aphyll (opaque) = a + phyll + ous

Although the negating prefix 'a-' is present, the core element 'phyll' is a Greek combining form (not a standalone English word), so learners cannot reliably infer the meaning from familiar English vocabulary.

Etymology

The word aphyllous comes from Greek parts a- meaning 'without' and phyll meaning 'leaf', the same phyll you see in chlorophyll. So, an aphyllous plant is 'without leaves'.