1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a geophyte; (of a plant) having underground storage organs such as bulbs, corms, or tubers that allow it to survive unfavorable seasons.
Usage: botanical term; commonly used in plant ecology and horticulture

Examples

• Tulips and daffodils are geophytic plants that store energy in underground bulbs.
• The geophytic strategy allows plants to survive harsh winters by retreating below the soil surface.
• Many geophytic species are popular in temperate gardens because they reliably return each spring.
• Potatoes are geophytic crops that develop edible tubers underground.
• Geophytic plants often have a dormant period during which their above-ground parts die back completely.