ClimateAugust 16, 2026
allelopathic
al-ee-luh-PATH-ik
Definition
Describing an organism that produces chemicals which inhibit or prevent the growth of other nearby plants or organisms.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek roots 'allelon' (meaning 'of each other') and 'pathos' (meaning 'suffering' or 'feeling'), combining to describe a biological interaction where one organism affects others through biochemical means.
In the news
The article uses the term to explain why Lantana camara is so difficult to manage, as its internal chemical production actively stops native species from regenerating in its vicinity.
Lantana camara: The elephant-size problem hiding in India’s green forests
Read the full article ↗The South First