1. Plants that survive unfavorable seasons by means of underground storage organs such as bulbs, corms, tubers, or rhizomes.
Usage: Plural of geophyte; Botanical/ecological term; Common in temperate and Mediterranean climates

Examples

• Tulips and daffodils are geophytes that bloom in spring after overwintering underground.
• Many geophytes in the garden die back completely in winter but return each year from their bulbs.
• Geophytes are well-adapted to seasonal droughts because they store energy in underground structures.
• The meadow was filled with geophytes like crocuses and snowdrops that emerged early in the season.
• Gardeners often plant geophytes in fall so they can establish roots before winter dormancy.