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Glite Dictionary
heliotropism

heliotropism

1 9.9
A plant's movement or growth toward the sun to get more light
  • noun
  • /ˌhiːliˈoʊtrəˌpɪzəm/
  • Specialized
: heliotropismo
  • The sunflower is well known for its heliotropism, turning to follow the sun throughout the day.

Sunflowers are aptly named because they practiced heliotropism.

Examples

  • The sunflower is well known for its heliotropism, turning to follow the sun throughout the day.

  • The sunflower exhibits heliotropism by turning towards the sun.

  • Certain desert plants display strong heliotropism to maximize their exposure to the sun's rays.

  • Researchers studied the heliotropism of young seedlings to understand how they respond to sunlight.

  • Many plants show heliotropism during the day.

  • Researchers studied the heliotropism of young seedlings to understand how they respond to sunlight.

  • Certain desert plants display strong heliotropism to maximize their exposure to the sun's rays.

Synonyms

phototropism
vsheliotropism
  • Specialized
1 9.3

Growth toward light by a plant or other living thing

focuses specifically on sunlight rather than on light in general
diaheliotropism
vsheliotropism
  • Specialized
9.9

Leaves or flowers move to face the sun to get more light

refers to whole organism movement or growth toward sunlight rather than only parts

Surface Forms

heliotropism singular
heliotropisms plural

Morphology

heliotropism = tropism (semi-transparent) = helio + tropism

The word is formed by adding the prefix 'helio-' (sun) to the existing noun 'tropism' (turning response); the morphological logic is clear but the term is technical.

Etymology

The word heliotropism comes from the parts helio- meaning 'sun' and -tropism meaning 'turning'. So, heliotropism is when a plant, like a sunflower, 'turns' to face the sun to get more light.