Definition of phreatophyte in English:
phreatophyte
noun frɪˈatəfʌɪtfrēˈadəˌfīt
Botany A plant with a deep root system that draws its water supply from near the water table.
Example sentencesExamples
- This and other species of Prosopis are considered as facultative phreatophytes, i.e. with roots that can take water from shallow and deep soil horizons.
- Diurnal water table fluctuations can be considered a diagnostic indicator of groundwater consumption by phreatophytes at most sites.
Derivatives
adjective
Botany The growth and survival of this species rely on access to deep water tables such as those occurring on river banks (phreatophytic habit).
Example sentencesExamples
- We explored this biogeochemical transfer and its influence on soils in phreatophytic eucalypt plantations and native grasslands of the Pampas (Argentina).
Origin
1920s: from Greek phrear, phreat- 'a well' + -phyte.