epiphytic

adjective

epi·​phyt·​ic ˌe-pə-ˈfi-tik How to pronounce epiphytic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being an epiphyte
2
: living on the surface of plants
epiphytically adverb
epiphytism noun

Examples of epiphytic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This family of cacti are epiphytic plants found growing in the rain forest, sharing space with orchids and bromeliads, not in sandy, dry deserts. Janet B. Carson, arkansasonline.com, 20 Nov. 2023 Think delicate epiphytic orchids curling around the knobby trunks of waving palms; white clapboard cottages with shutters in shades of salmon, sunshine, and seafoam; and a stretch of private beach with a lighthouse sentinel on the horizon. Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 30 June 2023 When the package arrived, those weeds—epiphytic orchids, which don’t need soil to grow—had bloomed into gorgeous purple flowers, of a species later called Cattleya labiata. Kendra Pierre-Louis, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2023 Peat moss or one of the coarse fibers, such as osmunda or coir used for epiphytic orchids, are good choices of organic materials that aerate a potting mixture while at the same time retaining water. San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Dec. 2021 These are epiphytic cactuses, descendants decedents of plants originally from Central and South America. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2022 This year’s Super Bowl is in Miami, which was once home to countless, beautiful, epiphytic orchids. Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2020 Hundreds more orchids were displayed in the U.S. Botanic Garden's Tropics house, including a photo-worthy arch of epiphytic orchids (orchids that grow by attaching themselves to other plants). Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2022 Common epiphytic houseplants include tillandsia (also known as air plants), orchids and ferns. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'epiphytic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of epiphytic was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near epiphytic

Cite this Entry

“Epiphytic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiphytic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

epiphytic

adjective
ep·​i·​phyt·​ic
ˌep-ə-ˈfit-ik
1
: of, relating to, or being an epiphyte
2
: living on the surface of plants
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