Phreatophytic

Phreatophytic

Phreatophytic is a botanical term referring to deep rooted plants, typically trees, which include mesquite (Fabaceae).

In ecology and hydrogeology: Any plant species that obtains a significant portion of the water that it needs to survive from the zone of saturation or the capillary fringe above the zone of saturation, is said to be phreatophytic. These species are found in riparian ecosystems and areas characterized by shallow groundwater, such as bottomlands.

Deep rooted phreatophytes, not necessarily riparian, are also common in Water Limited Environments (WLE). For example Oak trees in mediterranean climate regions [ David, T.S., M.O. Henriques, C. Kurz-Besson, J. Nunes, F. Valente, M. Vaz, J.S. Pereira, R. Siegwolf, M.M. Chaves, L.C. Gazarini and J.S. David 2007. Water-use strategies in two co-occurring Mediterranean evergreen oaks: surviving the summer drought. 27:793-803] .

Compare to xerophyte and hydrophyte.

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • phreatophytic — adjective see phreatophyte …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • phreatophytic — See phreatophyte. * * * …   Universalium

  • phreatophytic — phre·at·o·phyt·ic …   English syllables

  • phreatophytic — adjective see phreatophyte * * * phreatophytˈic adjective • • • Main Entry: ↑phreatic …   Useful english dictionary

  • phreatophyte — phreatophytic /free at euh fit ik/, adj. /free at euh fuyt /, n. a long rooted plant that absorbs its water from the water table or the soil above it. [1915 20; < Gk phreat (see PHREATIC) + O + PHYTE] * * * …   Universalium

  • phreatophyte — noun Etymology: Greek phreat , phrear well + English o + phyte Date: 1920 a deep rooted plant that obtains its water from the water table or the layer of soil just above it • phreatophytic adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Water limited environment — Water limited environments or WLE are arid semi arid, and subhumid regions (sometimes collectively called dry lands), and occupy approximately 50% of the global land areaAbrahams, A.D. and A.J. Parsons 1994. Geomorphology of deserts environments… …   Wikipedia

  • acorn banksia — /ˈeɪkɔn bæŋksiə/ (say aykawn bangkseeuh) noun a phreatophytic banksia, Banksia prionotes, growing to about 10 m, with long, toothed leaves and orange flowers in a characteristic acorn shape; common around Perth …  

  • phreatophyte — /friˈætəfaɪt/ (say free atuhfuyt) noun a plant with a long root, adapted for survival in desert or arid environments, so that it can source water at deep levels underground, as the acorn banksia. {Greek phreatos a well + phyte} –phreatophytic… …  

  • phreatophyte — [frē at′ə fīt΄] n. [< Gr phrear (gen. phreatos), a well < IE * bh(e)reu , to boil up (see FERVENT) + PHYTE] a long rooted plant that absorbs its water from the water table or other permanent ground supply phreatophytic [frē at′ōfit′ik] adj …   English World dictionary

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