therophyte One of Raunkiaer's life-form categories, being a plant that completes its life cycle rapidly during periods when conditions are favourable and survives unfavourable conditions (e.g. cold, heat, or competition) as seed; it is thus an annual or ephemeral plant. Therophytes are very typical of desert environments and cultivated land. Compare chamaeophyte; cryptophyte; hemicryptophyte; and phanerophyte.

therophyte One of Raunkiaer's life-form categories, of plants that complete their life cycle rapidly during periods when conditions are favourable and survive unfavourable conditions (e.g. cold, heat, or competition) as seeds; they are thus annual or ephemeral plants. Therophytes are very typical of desert environments and cultivated land. Compare CHAMAEOPHYTE; CRYPTOPHYTE; HEMICRYPTOPHYTE; and PHANEROPHYTE.

therophyte A plant life form in Raunkiaer's system of classification (see physiognomy). Therophytes are annual plants that complete their life cycle in a short period when conditions are favourable and survive harsh conditions as seeds. They are typically found in deserts and other arid regions.