Heterotrophic nutrition
The plants which cannot prepare their own food material entirely or partially and thus on other plants or animals are called heterotrophic plants. They can be classified into parasites and saprophytes.
The plants which cannot prepare their own food material entirely or partially and thus on other plants or animals are called heterotrophic plants. They can be classified into parasites and saprophytes.
Parasitic plants or parasites: Heterotrophic plants which depend on living plants and animals for their nutritional requirements are known as parasites.
Example: Cuscuta, striga, dodder
Saprophytic plants or saprophytes : Plants which depend for their nutrition on dead or decay organic remains of plants or animals are knows as saprophytes.
They break up complex compounds into simple compounds and use them for their growth and development.
Example: Neothia (birdÂ’s net or orchid), Monotrapa (Indian pipe)