Saprophyte

Saprophyte, plant that gets its food from dead and decaying material. Saprophytes do not carry out photosynthesis. Most fungi, including molds, mildews, and rusts, are saprophytes. Their fine threads creep over the food, secreting digestive juices and absorbing the resulting solution. Some flowering plants, such as the pinesap, are known as saprophytes, but in fact they rely on a fungus in their roots to absorb food from dead leaves.

See also: Fungi.