mesophyte

[ mez-uh-fahyt, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh- ]
/ ˈmɛz əˌfaɪt, ˈmɛs-, ˈmi zə-, -sə- /

noun

a plant growing under conditions of well-balanced moisture supply.

Origin of mesophyte

First recorded in 1885–90; meso- + -phyte

OTHER WORDS FROM mesophyte

mes·o·phyt·ic [mez-uh-fit-ik, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh-] /ˌmɛz əˈfɪt ɪk, ˌmɛs-, ˌmi zə-, -sə-/, adjective

Words nearby mesophyte

mesophile, mesophilic, mesophlebitis, mesophryon, mesophyll, mesophyte, mesoplankton, mesoporphyrin, mesopotamia, mesopotamian, mesorchium

British Dictionary definitions for mesophyte

mesophyte
/ (ˈmɛsəʊˌfaɪt) /

noun

any plant that grows in surroundings receiving an average supply of water

Derived forms of mesophyte

mesophytic (ˌmɛsəʊˈfɪtɪk), adjective

Scientific definitions for mesophyte

mesophyte
[ mĕz′ə-fīt′ ]

A plant that grows in an environment having a moderate supply of water. Mesophytes tend to have root systems and vascular tissues that are well-developed, and many species can grow to great heights as a result. Most crop plants, grasses, and broad-leaved bushes and trees growing in temperate climates are mesophytes. Compare hydrophyte xerophyte.