Non-Green Plants
Plants that do not contain chlorophyll are non-green plants. These plants do not make their own food. Fungi (mushrooms and their relatives) are included in this group.
Non-green plants help break down, or decay, dead plant and animal material into simpler chemicals. These chemicals can be used again by living plants and animals. Without decay, food-making processes would stop, because many materials would be tied up in non-decayed tissues. Wastes and dead bodies would be all around us.
Molds are non-green plants that can cause decay. Bacteria are also non-green plant; certain kinds of these can cause decay.
Non-green plants must live off other plants or animals (usually dead and decaying).