Plant that derives moisture and nutrients from the air and rain

• Usually grows on another plant but not parasitic on it

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1840, perhaps via French aerophyte , from aero- + -phyte "plant."

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. An epiphyte

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
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 ]