saprophyte

An organism, especially a fungus or bacterium, that derives its nourishment from dead or decaying organic matter.

In botany, a plant that grows on decaying vegetable matter, as many species of fungi, the Indian-pipe, etc. Also called humus-plant. See hysterophyte and Fungi.

Any plant growing on decayed animal or vegetable matter, as most fungi and some flowering plants with no green color, as the Indian pipe.

Any organism that lives on dead organic matter, as certain fungi and bacteria.

an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium