1. Plural of holophyte; organisms, especially plants, that are capable of synthesizing all their organic compounds from inorganic substances using photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
Usage: technical; biology; rare in everyday usage

Examples

• Holophytes such as green algae and higher plants produce their own food through photosynthesis.
• In aquatic ecosystems, holophytes form the base of the food chain.
• Unlike heterotrophs, holophytes do not depend on consuming other organisms for nutrition.
• Cyanobacteria are examples of holophytes that thrive in various aquatic environments.