Some plants rely on fungal mycorrhizae for their sugars and some depend on saprophytic soil fugus.
Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs Heterotrophic plants get their energy from breaking down sugars that another source has supplied, while autotrophs make their sugars via photosynthesis. In autotrophs, growth is limited by the nutrient and water supply. In heterotrophs, growth is limited by the carbon supply. This different mode of nutrition creates a new way to look at plant requirements. A full list of genera can be found in Leake, 1994.