saprophyte

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sap·ro·phyte / ˈsaprəˌfīt/ • n. Biol. a plant, fungus, or microorganism that lives on dead or decaying organic matter.DERIVATIVES: sap·ro·phyt·ic / ˌsaprəˈfitik/ adj.sap·ro·phyt·i·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv. .

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