Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
sclerophyllous

sclerophyllous

9.9
A plant with hard, thick leaves that keep water in dry places
  • adjective
  • /ˌsklɛrəˈfɪləs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : esclerófilo
  • Eucalyptus trees are well known for their sclerophyllous leaves, which help them survive in dry climates.
  • sclerophyllous evergreen

Examples

  • Many Mediterranean plants are sclerophyllous, allowing them to conserve water during hot summers.

  • The sclerophyllous nature of these shrubs makes them resistant to drought and grazing.

  • The sclerophyllous plants thrive in Australia.

  • Many sclerophyllous species can survive drought.

  • Eucalyptus trees are well known for their sclerophyllous leaves, which help them survive in dry climates.

  • Many Mediterranean plants are sclerophyllous, allowing them to conserve water during hot summers.

  • The sclerophyllous nature of these shrubs makes them resistant to drought and grazing.

Synonyms

leather-leaved
vssclerophyllous
7.5

Having thick, tough leaves like leather that help the plant keep water

highlights that such leaves help plants survive dry or poor soils
leather-leafed
vssclerophyllous
7.9

Leaves that are thick, tough, and do not bend easily

emphasizes their role in helping plants endure dry or poor soils

Antonyms

deciduous
5 6.1

Trees and plants that lose their leaves each year, often in autumn

How Leathery

sclerophyllous
  • Specialized
9.9
leathery
12 3.9

Surface Forms

sclerophyllous positive

Morphology

sclerophyllous = sclerophyll (opaque) = sclerophyll + ous

The adjective is a regular formation from the noun 'sclerophyll' using the productive suffix '-ous', meaning 'having or relating to sclerophyll'.

Etymology

The word sclerophyllous comes from Greek parts sclero- meaning 'hard' and -phyllous from phyllon meaning 'leaf', as in chlorophyll. So a sclerophyllous plant has 'hard' or thick leaves that help it save water and live in dry or poor soil.