Definition

Describing plants that grow or turn towards the sun as they follow its movement across the sky.

Example

Sunflowers are heliotropic, always facing the sun as it moves throughout the day.

Conversation

Did you know that sunflowers are heliotropic?

Really? That's pretty cool!

Yeah, they turn to follow the sun throughout the day.

Nature is amazing! I love how plants adapt like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Heliotropic → It is formed from "helio-" (from Greek "helios", meaning sun) and "tropic" (from Greek "tropos", meaning turn or change). The word describes the phenomenon of plants turning towards the sun.

Memory Tip

Think of plants 'turning' ('tropos') towards the 'sun' ('helio-') — that's why heliotropic means they follow the sun.

Visually Confused Words