Hemiepiphyte

• Title

  Hemiepiphyte

• Definition

  A plant that grows for part of its life on other plants without connection to the ground and for part of its life with a connection to the ground. A primary hemiepiphyte (e.g., Clusia spp., Clusiaceae) begins life without a connection with the ground but later develops aerial roots that reach the ground. A secondary hemiepiphyte (e.g., various species of Araceae) grows from the ground onto its support and later loses its connection with the ground. Compare with epiphyte.

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