epiphyte

epiphyte (EP-uh-fait) - n., a plant or fungus that grows nonparasitically on another, using it for physical support but obtaining no nutrients from it and neither causing damage nor offering benefit.



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Also known as aerophytes and air plants. Tropical epiphytes include orchids, ferns, and bromeliads, and temperate ones include lichens and mosses such as Spanish moss. Mistletoe, significantly, is a parasite and so not an epiphyte. Coined around 1847 from Ancient Greek roots epi-, on top of/above + -phyte, plant.

---L.