A parasite that attacks a plant can be referred to as what?

A parasite that attacks a plant can be referred to as pathogenic because this term encompasses any organism, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other parasites, that can cause disease in plants. Pathogens disrupt normal plant functions, often leading to symptoms such as wilting, discoloration, or even death of the plant. This term is commonly used in horticulture to describe harmful organisms affecting plant health.

Other terms like endoparasite and fungal refer to specific categories. An endoparasite specifically lives inside the host, which is a subset of pathogenic organisms but not the overarching term. Fungal refers to a particular type of organism and is only one category within the broader group of pathogens. While beneficial organisms play a role in plant health and protection, they do not harm plants and are therefore not relevant in this context.