a plant that grows on another plant but is not parasitic on it
Derived forms
epiphytic (ˌɛpɪˈfɪtɪk), epiphytal (ˌepiˈphytal) or epiphytical (ˌepiˈphytical)
adjective
epiphytically (ˌepiˈphytically)
adverb
epiphyte in American English
(ˈɛpəˌfaɪt)
noun
1.
a plant that grows on another plant but is not a parasite and produces its own food by photosynthesis, as certain orchids, mosses, and lichens; air plant
2.
a plant parasitic on the external surface of an animal body