1. a plant that has evolved with adaptations to live in aquatic or very wet habitats, e.g., a cattail, water lily, or water tupelo 2. a cryptophyte whose vegetative shoots remain submerged in the mud during the unfavorable season, only the flowers and inflorescences rising above the surface —note hydrophyte is one of Raunkiaer's life-formsThis definition last updated 10/29/2008