Autophyte

/ˈɔːtəfaɪt/ noun

Definition

A plant that produces its own food through photosynthesis and doesn't need external nutrients from other organisms (an autotrophic plant).

Etymology

From Greek 'auto-' (self) and 'phyte' (plant). This botanical term has been largely replaced by 'autotrophic plant' in modern scientific usage.

Kelly Says

Every green plant is an autophyte—they're biochemical factories that transform sunlight and water into their own food, making them fundamentally different from animals that have to eat other things!

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