ABSTRACT
The term “geophyte” was derived from the Greek (from ge, earth, land; phyton, plant) and was coined by Raunkiær (1934) in his famous system of plant life forms. His categories were characterized by the location of the regenerative buds and the parts shed during the seasons unfavorable to growth (Figure 3.1). In this system, cryptophytes were classi‹ed as perennial plants that survive the unfavorable seasons not only by seed but also by specialized underground storage organs. Cryptophytes are divided into three groups: (1) geophytes, with renewal buds resting in dry ground, for example, crocus and tulip; (2) helophytes, resting in marshy grounds, for example, reedmace (Typha, Typhaceae) and marsh-marigold (Caltha, Ranunculaceae); and (3) hydrophytes, resting by being submerged under water, for example, water lily (Nymphaea, Nymphaeaceae) and frogbit (Hydrocharis, Hydrocharitaceae) (Figure 3.1).
