heterotrophy
(ˈhɛtərəʊˌtrəʊfɪ)
[f. hetero- + Gr. τροϕή nourishment.]
1. Biol. † a. [ad. G. heterotrophie (A. B. Frank 1885, in Ber. d. Deut. Bot. Ges. III. 143).] An abnormal mode of nutrition observed by Frank in some plants, as those of the N.O. Cupuliferæ, which have no root-hairs, their function being discharged by a fungus which closely surrounds the roots. Obs. rare.
| 1891 F. P. Foster Med. Dict. III. 1867/2 Heterotrophy, the quality of obtaining nutrition adventitiously by means of a Fungus whose mycelium takes the place of root-hairs. |
† b. [ad. G. heterotrophie (A. Minks 1893, in Verhandl. d. zool.-bot. Ges. in Wien XLII. 402).] (See quot. 1900.) Obs. rare.
| 1900 B. D. Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms 123/1 Heterotrophy, (1) used by Minks for those Lichens living symbiotically. |
c. The state or quality of living as a heterotroph; heterotrophism.
| 1930 W. H. Lang tr. Strasburger's Text-bk. Bot. (ed. 6) 259 The heterotrophy is not always..complete... Some heterotrophic Phanerogams can construct their organic carbon-compounds in the normal fashion... The converse case is frequently met with. 1949 A. Nelson Introd. Bot. xxv. 387 There are degrees of morphological adaptation for heterotrophy. |
† 2. Bot. [ad. G. heterotrophie (J. Wiesner 1895, in Ber. d. Deut. Bot. Ges. XIII. 482).] (See quot. 1900.) Obs. rare.
| 1896 Jrnl. R. Microsc. Soc. 326 (heading) Heterotrophy and anisophylly. 1900 B. D. Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms 123/1 Heterotrophy..(2) [used] by Wiesner for the compound position of a shoot with regard to the horizon and of the mother-shoot. |