saprophyte

[ sap-ruh-fahyt ]

noun

1. any organism that lives on dead organic matter, as certain fungi and bacteria.

saprophyte

/ ˈsæprəʊˌfaɪt; ˌsæprəʊˈfɪtɪk /

noun

1. any plant that lives and feeds on dead organic matter using mycorrhizal fungi associated with its roots; a saprotrophic plant

saprophyte

/ săp′rə-fīt′ /

1. 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.

Derived Forms

• saprophytic, adjective
• ˌsaproˈphytically, adverb

Other Words From

• sap·ro·phyt·ic [sap-r, uh, -, fit, -ik], adjective
• sapro·phyti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of saprophyte¹

First recorded in 1870–75; sapro- + -phyte

Example Sentences

It is a parasite or saprophyte, and entirely destitute of chlorophyll, being pure white throughout.

From Project Gutenberg