/kruy"euh fuyt'/ , n.
1. any plant, as certain algae, mosses, fungi, and bacteria, that grows on ice or snow.
2. any low-growing, succulent, blooming plant of the genus Cryophytum (or Mesembryanthemum ), certain species of which form extensive mats along the southwestern coasts of the U.S.
[ 1905-10; CRYO- + -PHYTE ]