Mesophyte

/ˈmɛzoʊˌfaɪt/ noun

Definition

A plant adapted to moderate moisture conditions, neither extremely wet nor dry environments. These plants represent the majority of terrestrial vegetation and thrive in temperate climates with regular rainfall and well-drained soils.

Etymology

From Greek 'mesos' meaning 'middle' and 'phyton' meaning 'plant.' The term was created to describe the middle category between xerophytes (dry-adapted) and hydrophytes (water-adapted) plants.

Kelly Says

Mesophytes are the Goldilocks of the plant world—they like conditions that are 'just right'! Most of our familiar plants, from oak trees to roses to grass, are mesophytes that have conquered the world's temperate zones where water is neither too scarce nor too abundant.

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