halophytes

(noun)

a plant that grows in waters of high salinity, coming into contact with saline water through its roots or by salt spray.

Related Terms

Examples of halophytes in the following topics:

  • Estuaries: Where the Ocean Meets Fresh Water

    • Many estuarine plant species are halophytes: plants that can tolerate salty water on their roots or sea spray.
    • In some halophytes, filters in the roots remove the salt from the water that the plant absorbs.

  • Estuaries & Marshes

    • Many estuarine plant species are halophytes: plants that can tolerate salty water on their roots or sea spray.
    • In some halophytes, filters in the roots remove the salt from the water that the plant absorbs.
    • Many of the halophytic plants such as cordgrass are not grazed at all by higher animals but die off and decompose to become food for micro-organisms, which in turn become food for fish and birds.

  • Mangroves

    • Mangroves are salt tolerant trees, also called halophytes, and are adapted to life in harsh coastal conditions.