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

The organisms, known as saprophytes, are usually found in tropical areas.

From Washington Post

Superficially, cancer root appears like Indian pipe, a woodland dwelling saprophyte, a plant that feeds on decomposing plant matter.

From New York Times

All artificial nucleases in current use employ one or more domains derived from prokaryotes — in some cases, common bacterial pathogens or saprophytes.

From Nature

Other nematodes are saprophytes, getting by on whatever tasty morsels they can scavenge.

From Scientific American

This is true of parasites as well as of saprophytes.

From Project Gutenberg