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macrophyte

macrophyte

8.7
A large plant that grows in lakes, rivers, or wetlands and you can see without a microscope
  • noun
  • /ˈmækrəˌfaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : macrófito
  • In the summer, the lake was filled with colorful macrophytes that provided shelter for fish.
  • macrophytes and algae
  • aquatic macrophytes
  • macrophyte cover

Examples

  • The lagoons are large, open expanses of water of complex origin that contain dense growths of macrophytes (McCarthy et al. 1993).

    Academic text (2009)
  • Vascular plants (macrophytes) begin to colonize lakes during the first half-century of lake development.

    Academic text (2007)
  • By the second year, substantial macrophyte cover had developed only in the planted wetland, as expected.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Turbidity is influenced by macrophyte cover, bioturbation, and phytoplankton growth.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The number of macrophyte taxa increased dramatically in both wetlands (Figure 4).

    Academic text (1998)
  • The apparent increase in algal diversity in the unplanted wetland in the third year correlates with the increase in macrophyte cover.

    Academic text (1998)
  • One characteristic needed in macrophytes planted in a plant/rock filter is an extensive root system capable of growing in gravel.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The Yahara Lakes Association, a private group of lakeshore property owners, advocates for shoreline regulations and the control of nuisance macrophytes.

    Academic text (2007)
  • For example, in a eutrophic lake sediment, microbes may break down phytoplankton and macrophytes, releasing phosphorus.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Moreover, algae and macrophytes on the lake's surface render navigation difficult for nonmotorized boats, such as those used by cormorant fishermen.

    Academic text (2002)

Synonyms

hydrophyte
vsmacrophyte
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant that lives in water or very wet ground

is restricted to large visible plants found in lakes rivers or wetlands
macroalga
vsmacrophyte
  • Specialized
7.5

A large plantlike living thing like seaweed that grows in water

is a large visible plant rather than an organism outside true plants

How Big

macrophyte
  • Specialized
8.7
alga
66 5.8
phytoplankton
  • Specialized
4 8.2

Surface Forms

macrophyte singular
macrophytes plural

Morphology

macrophyte = phyte (semi-transparent) = macro + phyte

The word is built from the scientific prefix macro- plus the botanical element phyte, so the meaning is partly compositional but not fully accessible to average learners.

Etymology

Macrophyte comes from Greek parts macro- meaning 'large' and -phyte meaning 'plant'. So a macrophyte is a 'large plant', like the big water plants you can see in lakes, rivers, and wetlands.