Hemiparasitism

/ˌhɛmɪˈpærəsɪtɪzəm/ noun

Definition

A biological relationship in which an organism obtains some but not all of its nutrients or resources by parasitizing another organism.

Etymology

From hemiparasite (Greek hemi- + parasite) + -ism (system or condition), describing the partial parasitic lifestyle.

Kelly Says

Hemiparasitism is nature's way of showing that ecological relationships aren't always black and white—some plants are genuinely in the gray zone between being freeloaders and being independent.

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