saprophytic fungus; saprophytic bacteria
Technical term in biology for organisms that feed on dead or decaying organic matter. Can refer to both fungi and bacteria.
Saprophytic fungi play an important role in decomposing fallen leaves and dead trees.
Compound of 腐生 (fusei, 'saprophytic') and 菌 (kin, 'fungus/bacteria'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is a modern scientific coinage.