hydrophyte
- noun
- /ˈhaɪdrəˌfaɪt/
- Specialized
- The lotus is a well-known example of a hydrophyte that thrives in shallow lakes.
Examples
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Many hydrophytes have adapted leaves that repel excess water and aid in floating.
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A hydrophyte like the water lily often has large, flat leaves that float on the surface.
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A hydrophyte typically requires saturated soil or standing water to survive.
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The hydrophyte thrives in the pond.
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Many hydrophytes can filter water effectively.
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The lotus is a beautiful hydrophyte that can be found blooming in still water.
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Various hydrophytes provide essential habitats for aquatic animals in marshy environments.
Synonyms
A plant that lives in water, attached to the bottom or floating
A plant that grows in or near water, like a water lily
A plant that grows in water, like water lilies or reeds
Antonyms
How Aquatic
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
hydrophyte = hydro + phyte
The word is built from the combining form hydro- 'water' and phyte 'plant', so the meaning is compositional, but it remains a learned scientific term rather than an everyday transparent formation.
Etymology
Hydrophyte comes from the two parts hydro- meaning 'water' and -phyte meaning 'plant'. So a hydrophyte is literally a 'water plant', a plant that lives in water or in very wet places.