ombrophobous
Definitions
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- adj. Shunning rain: in phytogeography, said of plants or their parts, chiefly the foliage. Ombrophobous character is usually shown by a water-shedding or unwettable surface (due to hairs or a waxy covering).
This word comes from the Greek ‘ombros,’ shower of rain, plus ‘phobos,’ fear, fear, terror.
Examples
“The plants in question, ombrophobous in habit, requiring low temperature, intense illumination with heavy rainfall for their development, are limited to high altitudes, above tree level in normally forest clad regions; but in the treeless zone of the antarctic these conditions of habitat are found at sea-level.”
“Nevertheless many decidedly ombrophobous plants thrive in a constantly moist climate; thus Wiesner rightly draws attention to the fine growth of various species of Opuntia and Cereus in the botanic garden at Buitenzorg.”
