What is "aerophyte"

Aerophyte \A"["e]r*o*phyte\, n. [A["e]ro- + Gr. fyto`n plant, fy`ein to grow: cf. F. a['e]rophyte.] (Bot.) A plant growing entirely in the air, and receiving its nourishment from it; an air plant or epiphyte.

1840, perhaps via French aerophyte, from aero- + -phyte "plant."

n. An epiphyte

n. plant that derives moisture and nutrients from the air and rain; usually grows on another plant but not parasitic on it [syn: air plant, epiphyte, epiphytic plant]