|epə|jēəl adjective
or ep·i·ge·ous -ēəs ; also ep·i·ge·an or ep·i·gae·an -ēən ; or ep·i·ge·ic -ēik, -ē.ēk
Etymology: Greek epigaios upon the earth + English -al or -ous or -an or -ic — more at epigaea
1.
a. of a plant or a plant part : growing above the surface of the ground
green epigeal stalks of asparagus
especially of a cotyledon : forced above ground by elongation of the hypocotyl
b. of plant germination : characterized by the production of epigeal cotyledons
2. : living near or on the surface of the ground — used especially of an insect; distinguished from aerial, hypogeal