any organism of the former division Thallophyta, lacking true stems, leaves, and roots: includes the algae, fungi, lichens, and bacteria, all now regarded as separate phyla
Derived forms
thallophytic (ˌθæləˈfɪtɪk)
adjective
Word origin
C19: from New Latin thallophyta, from Greek thallos a young shoot + phuton a plant
thallophyte in American English
(ˈθæləˌfaɪt)
noun
any of a subkingdom (Thallobionta) of nonvascular plants showing no clear distinction of roots, stem, or leaves and not producing flowers or seeds: it includes the fungi, lichens, and most algae