saprophyte
Feeds on rot
A saprophyte is an organism that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter.
The term applies mostly to fungi and bacteria that break down plant and animal remains, recycling nutrients back into the soil.
Mushrooms growing on a rotting log are saprophytes.
In older usage, the word sometimes included plants like Indian pipe that lack chlorophyll, though botanists now prefer other terms for these.
Fungal filament network
- hyphaeFungal filamentous structures
- sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
- mushroomFleshy fungal body
- moldForm-giving container
yeast · basidiomycota · ascomycota · mycology · agaric · gill · cap · stipe
Gradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
detritus · compost · biodegradation · breakdown · mineralization · recycling · organic matter · litter
Eats dead organic material
- food webInterconnected predator-prey relationships
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- soil healthGround's biological vitality
- carbon sequestrationRemoving and storing atmospheric CO2
Structural plant polymer
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- keratinStructural hair protein
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- dead woodDried fallen branches
leaf litter · dung · carrion · fallen logs · bark · animal remains · forest floor · mulch
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- protistUnicellular eukaryotic organism
- slime moldAmoeboid organism on decay
- bacillusCylindrical bacterial cell
- pseudomonasGram-negative rod-shaped bacterium
mycelium
Fungal filament network
mold · yeast · basidiomycota · ascomycota · mycology · agaric · gill · cap · stipe · puffball
decay
Gradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
humus · detritus · compost · biodegradation · breakdown · mineralization · recycling · organic matter · litter · leaves
detritivore
Eats dead organic material
- food webInterconnected predator-prey relationships
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- soil healthGround's biological vitality
carbon sequestration · forest ecosystem · wetland · scavenger · ecological niche
lignin
Structural plant polymer
dead wood · leaf litter · dung · carrion · fallen logs · bark · animal remains · forest floor · mulch · peat
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- protistUnicellular eukaryotic organism
- slime moldAmoeboid organism on decay
- bacillusCylindrical bacterial cell