Chlorophyllic

Chlorophyllic is an adjective describing something pertaining to chlorophyll, the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. In practice, chlorophyllic tissue or organisms are rich in chlorophyll and appear green in color; the term is often used in botanical, physiological, or pigment-analytic contexts. It can describe leaves, chloroplast-containing tissues, or pigment profiles that favor chlorophyll absorption of light.

Etymology and usage notes: The word derives from Greek chloros meaning green and phyllon meaning leaf, combined with an adjectival suffix. It is related to chlorophyllous or chlorophyll-bearing and is considered a less common or variant form rather than standard terminology in many scientific writings.

Usage and scope: Chlorophyllic is typically used to emphasize the presence of chlorophyll in a tissue or organism, especially when describing coloration or photosynthetic capacity. It is less common in formal taxonomy and may appear in descriptive botany, plant physiology, or discussions of experimental pigments. It does not imply a taxonomic grouping; rather it describes a biochemical or physiological trait.

Related concepts: chlorophyll, chloroplast, photosynthesis, chlorophyllous. These terms cover the pigment itself, the organelle involved in its synthesis and storage, and the broader biological process in which chlorophyllic tissues participate.