autophytic

/ˌɔːtəˈfɪtɪk/
adjective
  1. Relating to or characteristic of an autophyte; capable of producing its own food from inorganic substances.
    • The autophytic nature of algae allows them to thrive in sunlit waters.
    • Autophytic organisms form the base of most food chains in ecosystems.
    • Scientists study autophytic plants to understand how they convert sunlight into energy.
Synonyms
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