Acidophilus
/ass-ih-DOFF-ih-lus/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: acidophilous, acid-loving
A habitat epithet for a plant that grows best on acid soil rather than on chalk or limestone. Acid-loving plants take up iron and manganese readily at low pH, which is why they yellow between the leaf veins and stall when set in alkaline ground. Appears as acidophilus (masculine), acidophila (feminine), or acidophilum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin acidus (sour, acidic) + Greek philos (loving), meaning "acid-loving."
Example
“A species described as acidophilus needs an ericaceous compost rather than a chalky border.”