saprophytic

Pertaining to or of the nature of saprophytes; growing on decaying vegetable matter. See Perisporiaceæ.

In zoology, engendered or growing in putrid infusions, as one of numberless infusorial animalcules; saprogenous: opposed to holophytic.

Feeding or growing upon decaying animal or vegetable matter; pertaining to a saprophyte or the saprophytes.

Relating to saprophytes or their life style.

obtaining food osmotically from dissolved organic material

(of some plants or fungi) feeding on dead or decaying organic matter