air plant

air plant
noun
plant that derives moisture and nutrients from the air and rain; usually grows on another plant but not parasitic on it
• Syn: ↑epiphyte, ↑aerophyte, ↑epiphytic plant
• Derivationally related forms: ↑epiphytic (for: ↑epiphyte)
• Hypernyms: ↑plant, ↑flora, ↑plant life
• Hyponyms:

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noun
2. : any of several plants of the genus Kalanchoe (especially K. pinnata) that propagate new plants from the leaves — called also life plant

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1. an epiphyte.
2. Also called life plant. a tropical plant, Kalanchoe pinnata, of the stonecrop family, having pale green flowers tinged with red and new plants sprouting at the leaf notches.
[1835-45, Amer.]

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air plant,
a plant not connected with the ground and seeming to live on air; epiphyte: »

Many orchids are air plants.

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n. a typically epiphytic, sometimes rootless, tropical American plant with grasslike or fingerlike leaves through which water and airborne or waterborne nutrients are absorbed. ● Genus Tillandsia, family Bromeliaceae: several species, including Spanish moss

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ˈair plant 7 [air plant] noun
an American plant whose leaves take in water and food from the water or air around it, rather than having roots in the soil

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Air plant — (Bot.) A plant deriving its sustenance from the air alone; an a[ e]rophyte. [1913 Webster] Note: The Florida moss ({Tillandsia}, many tropical orchids, and most mosses and lichens are air plants. Those which are lodged upon trees, but not… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • air-plant — airˈ plant noun (botany) A non parasitic plant growing on another, an epiphyte • • • Main Entry: ↑air …   Useful english dictionary

  • air plant — air′ plant n. 1) bot an epiphyte 2) pln a tropical plant, Kalanchoe pinnata, of the stonecrop family, having pale green flowers tinged with red and new plants sprouting at the leaf notches • Etymology: 1835–45, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • air plant — ☆ air plant n. an epiphyte …   English World dictionary

  • air plant — /ˈɛə plænt/ (say air plantt) noun an epiphytic plant, as a tillandsia …  

  • air plant — 1. an epiphyte. 2. Also called life plant. a tropical plant, Kalanchoe pinnata, of the stonecrop family, having pale green flowers tinged with red and new plants sprouting at the leaf notches. [1835 45, Amer.] * * * …   Universalium

  • air plant — noun a tropical American plant that grows on trees as an epiphyte, with long, narrow leaves that absorb water and nutrients from the atmosphere. [Genus Tillandsia: several species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • air plant — noun Date: 1833 1. epiphyte 2. any of several kalanchoes (especially Kalanchoe pinnata) …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • air plant — noun epiphyte …   Wiktionary

  • Air Plant — Bryophyllum (E) …   EthnoBotanical Dictionary

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