phreatophyte
Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
- noun Any plant, typically living in deserts, that obtains its water from long taproots that reach the water table
Examples
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A phreatophyte is a plant whose roots generally extend downward to the water table; the term literally means water-loving plants.
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Difficulties in maintenance of unlined canals previously discussed, including weed growth and encroachment by phreatophyte plants, are aggravated in the case of drainage channels as ground conditions are usually wet year-round and vegetative growth can be prolific.
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The wet ground conditions at the bottom of a drainage channel in which seepage water is flowing year-round promote heavy growth of phreatophyte plants, requiring frequent cleaning.
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Where phreatophyte plants grow (a deep-rooted plant that obtains water from the water table or the layer of soil just above it), groundwater is more likely.
Note
The word 'phreatophyte' comes from Greek roots meaning 'well, spring' and 'growing'.
