phorophyte

English

Etymology

Ancient Greek φορέω (phoréō, “bear along”) +‎ -phyte (“plant”)

Noun

phorophyte (plural phorophytes)

1. (biology) Any plant on which an epiphyte grows
   • 2008, David H. Benzing, Vascular Epiphytes: General Biology and Related Biota, page 211:

     Samples were too small, however, to determine whether phorophyte frequency or biological compatibility was responsible for the observed plant combinations.

Derived terms

• phorophytic