Description

A beautiful graceful young woman (always female).

Classification

Etymology

From the Greek word "δρυς" ("drys") meaning "oak".

Taxonomy

• Daphnaie - a nymph of a laurel tree.
• Epimeliad (plural Epimelides, also Maliades, Meliades) - a nymph of an apple or other fruit tree.
• Hamadryad - a nymph living inside a tree.
• Meliae - a nymph of an ash tree.

Evolution

1. Oak tree nymph
2. Tree nymph in general

Analogues in other cultures

• Kodama, 木霊, こだま, 木魂, 谺 (Japan)
• Querquetulanae (Rome)

Anthropology

Relationships with humans

Dryads help people who grow tree, and can harm those who destroy or harm trees.