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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Saprophytic and Symbiotic Plants?

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The main difference between saprophytic and symbiotic plants lies in their mode of nutrition and their relationship with other organisms.

Saprophytic plants:

  • Depend on dead and organic matter for their nutrition.
  • Lack chlorophyll and are known as non-green plants.
  • Grow on dead wood, decomposed waste, and leaves.
  • Convert organic materials into simpler forms with enzymes.

Symbiotic plants:

  • Form close relationships with other organisms and depend on them for their nutrition.
  • Show three types of relationships: Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism.
  • Mutualism: Both organisms gain from each other.
  • Commensalism: One organism gains from the other, while the other is unaffected.
  • Parasitism: One organism gains from the other, and the other is harmed negatively.

In summary, saprophytic plants obtain their nutrition from dead and organic matter, while symbiotic plants form close relationships with other organisms to satisfy their nutritional needs.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Saprophytic and Symbiotic Plants?
  • Comparative Table: Saprophytic vs Symbiotic Plants

    • Comparative Table: Saprophytic vs Symbiotic Plants

    Here is a table comparing the differences between saprophytic and symbiotic plants:

    Feature Saprophytic Plants Symbiotic Plants
    Nutrition Depend on dead and organic matter for nutrition Form close relationships with other organisms for nutrition
    Chlorophyll Usually lack chlorophyll, hence called non-green plants May or may not have chlorophyll
    Relationship Types No specific types Exhibit three types of relationships: Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism
    Examples Pyrola elliptica (shinleaf), Monotropa uniflora (Indian pipe) Lichen sp., Mycorrhizal fungi which form symbiotic relationships with the roots of trees
    Digestion Extracellular digestion Intracellular digestion

    Saprophytic plants, also known as saprophytes, depend on dead organic matter for their nutrition and usually lack chlorophyll, while symbiotic plants, also known as symbionts, form close relationships with other organisms for their nutrition. Saprophytic plants do not have specific types of relationships, whereas symbiotic plants exhibit three types of relationships: Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.