1. partially parasitic; obtaining some nutrients from a host organism while also being capable of photosynthesis or other independent nutrition
Usage: biology

Examples

• Mistletoe is a semiparasitic plant that grows on tree branches.
• The semiparasitic vine can photosynthesize but also draws water from its host.
• Many semiparasitic species have green leaves and can produce their own food.
• Researchers studied the semiparasitic relationship between the orchid and the fungus.
• The semiparasitic plant weakened the oak tree over several years.
• Some semiparasitic organisms switch between independent and parasitic modes of nutrition.