saprophyte

sap·ro·phyte  (spr-ft)

n.

An organism, especially a fungus or bacterium, that grows on and derives its nourishment from dead or decaying organic matter.

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sapro·phytic (-ftk) adj.

sapro·phyti·cal·ly adv.

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saprophyte

Noun

Biol any plant, such as a fungus, that lives and feeds on dead organic matter [Greek sapros rotten + phuton plant]

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saprophyte  (spr-ft)

An organism, especially a fungus or bacterium, that lives on and gets its nourishment from dead organisms or decaying organic material. Saprophytes recycle organic material in the soil, breaking it down into in simpler compounds that can be taken up by other organisms.

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saprophytic adjective (spr-ftk)

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

saprophyte - an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium saprophytic organism organism, being - a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently