lithophyte

[ lith-uh-fahyt ]
/ ˈlɪθ əˌfaɪt /

noun

Zoology. a polyp with a hard or stony structure, as a coral.
Botany. any plant growing on the surface of rocks.

Origin of lithophyte

First recorded in 1765–75; litho- + -phyte

OTHER WORDS FROM lithophyte

lith·o·phyt·ic [lith-uh-fit-ik] /ˌlɪθ əˈfɪt ɪk/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for lithophyte

British Dictionary definitions for lithophyte

lithophyte
/ (ˈlɪθəˌfaɪt) /

noun

a plant that grows on rocky or stony ground
an organism, such as a coral, that is partly composed of stony material

Derived forms of lithophyte

lithophytic (ˌlɪθəˈfɪtɪk), adjective

Scientific definitions for lithophyte

lithophyte
[ lĭthə-fīt′ ]

A plant that grows on rock and derives its nourishment chiefly from the atmosphere.