phreatophyte

noun

: a deep-rooted plant that obtains its water from the water table or the layer of soil just above it

Word History

Etymology

Greek phreat-, phrear well + English -o- + -phyte

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phreatophyte was in 1920

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Phreatophyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phreatophyte. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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