abiotrophic
adj. C1 Advanced abiotroph·ic
adj. describing a type of plant or fungus that does not need to live on a living host. These organisms get their food from dead matter or the soil.
adj. relating to organisms that derive nutrients from non-living organic matter rather than from a living host. Often used to describe certain types of fungi or plants.
The abiotrophic fungus grows on dead wood.
Unlike parasitic species, abiotrophic organisms do not harm the living cells of their environment.
The study of abiotrophic species is essential for understanding how ecosystems recycle nutrients through the decomposition of organic material.