epiphytes

IPA/ˈep.ɪ.faɪt/
IPA/ˈep.ə.faɪt/

epiphytes — 名詞

  • epiphytessingular
  • epiphytesesplural

1. a plant that lives attached to the surface of a tree or other plant, using it on

1.名詞B1
釋義

附生植物

依附其他植物生長的植物

a plant that lives attached to the surface of a tree or other plant, using it only for physical support while taking the water and nutrients it needs from the surrounding air and rainfall rather than from the host

例句

Felix spotted several epiphytes growing on the old oak tree in the rainforest.

Felix 在雨林中看到一棵老橡樹上長了許多附生植物。

collocation: grow on [tree] for support only

Unlike parasites, epiphytes use the tree for support and get food from the air.

與寄生植物不同，附生植物利用樹木作為支撐，從空氣中獲取養分。

contrast pattern: unlike [parasite], epiphytes...

同義詞
  • air plant

    often used for Tillandsia species, which are a type of epiphyte; not all epiphytes are air plants

反義詞
  • parasite

    a plant that feeds on its host, the opposite of how an epiphyte relates to its host

文法句型

epiphytes + verb (grow/live/thrive)

用法筆記

The singular form is epiphyte (e.g. 'an epiphyte growing on a branch'). Epiphytes are especially common in tropical rainforests, where they occupy space on branches and trunks above the ground.

常見錯誤

❌Mistletoe is an epiphyte that feeds on the host tree.
✅Mistletoe is a parasite, not an epiphyte
💡epiphytes do not take nutrients from the host.' — Parasites feed on the host plant; epiphytes only use the host for physical support.