Aphyllous

/əˈfɪləs/ adjective

Definition

A plant that has no leaves or very few leaves at all.

Etymology

From Greek 'a-' (without) + 'phyllon' (leaf). The term combines the negative prefix with the Greek root for leaf to describe plants lacking this typical feature.

Kelly Says

Some desert plants like certain cacti are aphyllous—they've actually evolved to lose their leaves to save water in harsh environments, proving that not having leaves can sometimes be an evolutionary superpower.

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