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epífito

epiphytic

adjective eh-PEE-fee-toh Rare
Animals & Nature Plants

Origin: Greek epi (upon) + phyton (plant)

Usage Note

Epífito describes plants that grow on other plants for physical support without being parasitic — orchids, bromeliads, and many ferns are classic examples. The noun form epífita (feminine) or epífito (masculine) is used for the plant itself. This is an exclusively botanical/scientific term with no everyday informal register.

Examples

"Las orquídeas son plantas epífitas."

Natural Translation

Orchids are epiphytic plants.

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