A geophyte is one of the life-forms according to Raunkiaer: the aboveground parts of the plant wither in winter while the perennating buds are located in the soil. Depending on the nature of the underground organs, bulb geophytes (e. g. Lilium – Lily), rhizome geophytes (e. g. Anemone – Wind Flower), tuber geophytes (e. g. Ranunculus ficaria – Lesser Celandine) and root geophytes (e. g. Cirsium arvense – Creeping Thistle) may be distinguished.
