phreatophyte
/friˈætəˌfaɪt/
noun
- A plant that gets most of its water from deep underground sources, often by having long roots that reach the water table.
- Phreatophytes like willows are often found growing along riverbanks and dry streambeds.
- Farmers sometimes remove phreatophytes because they use water that could otherwise go to crops.
- The mesquite tree is a phreatophyte that can survive in deserts by tapping into deep groundwater.