Hemiepiphyte

A hemiepiphyte is a plant that spends part of its life cycle as an epiphyte.

The seeds of primary hemiepiphytes germinate in the canopy and initially live epiphytically.

Secondary hemiepiphytes are root-climbers[1] that begin as rooted vines growing upward from the forest floor, but later break their connection to the ground.

[1] Strangler figs are hemiepiphytic – they may begin life as epiphytes but after making contact with the ground they encircle their host tree and "strangle" it.

[3] Strangler figs can also germinate and develop as independent trees, not reliant on the support of a host.