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phytoplankton

If we aren't drifting growers, we're just drifting; probably face-first. Playing is growing.

Chris Dahler

26 Mar 2025 — 2 min read

DALL-E "A microscopic scene showing glowing green, plant-like organisms gently drifting in a vast, dark blue ocean. Each organism resembles a delicate, translucent orb or spiral with leaf-like extensions, softly illuminated by sunlight filtering from above. The scene evokes the sense of movement, wandering, and growth—like tiny botanical spirits adrift in the currents."

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If we aren't drifting growers, we're just drifting; probably face-first. Move it or lose it. Exercise is medicine. Food is medicine. Children are scrumptious, but you can't eat them.

"🔍 Etymology of "Phytoplankton"

Phytoplankton comes from the combination of two Greek roots:

phyto- (Greek: φυτόν, phytón) — plant, from phýein meaning "to grow" or "to bring forth."
plankton (Greek: πλαγκτός, planktós) — drifting, wandering, from plazō meaning "to wander" or "to roam."

Phytoplankton, therefore, literally means “wandering plants” or “drifting growers.” These are microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that drift with water currents in oceans, seas, and freshwater.

Word	Connection	Explanation
Phytology	Cognate via phyto-	Study of plants; shares the "plant" root.
Plankton	Root term	Refers broadly to all drifting marine organisms.
Zooplankton	Sibling term	Animal plankton; zoo- means "animal."
Epiphyte	Shared phyte root	A plant that grows on another plant; emphasizes the "plant" origin.
Phytoplankter	Singular form	An individual organism in the phytoplankton group.