Epification

Epification is a term used in different scientific disciplines to describe two related but distinct phenomena: the formation and maturation of epiphyses in bones, and the epiphytic lifestyle of plants that grow on other plants. Because usage varies by field, the word can have different meanings in anatomical texts versus botanical and ecological literature.

In osteology and anatomy, epification refers to the development and maturation of the epiphyses, the rounded ends of long bones. This process involves the appearance of secondary ossification centers within the epiphyses during childhood, followed by ossification and eventual fusion of the epiphyses with the diaphysis during or after puberty. Epiphyseal fusion marks the end of longitudinal bone growth. The term appears primarily in older or descriptive literature; contemporary texts typically describe these events in terms of secondary ossification centers and epiphyseal plates.

In botany and ecology, epification (or epiphytism) denotes a non-parasitic lifestyle in which plants grow upon other plants, usually trees, to gain access to light and space. Epiphytes such as many orchids and bromeliads obtain moisture and nutrients from rain, dew, and accumulated debris rather than from their hosts. This mode contrasts with parasitic plants that extract resources from a host.

Notes: The term epification is not standardized across fields and should be interpreted within the relevant scientific context. Related concepts include the epiphysis, the epiphyseal plate, and the epiphyte.