‖ Protophyta, n. pl. Bot.
(prəʊˈtɒfɪtə)
[mod.L., pl. of prōtophytum, f. Gr. πρῶτος first, proto- + ϕῠτόν plant.]
A primary division of the vegetable kingdom (corresponding to Protozoa in the animal kingdom), comprising the most simply organized plants (usually of microscopic size), each individual consisting of a single cell. (Formerly more vaguely used: see quot. 1858.)
| 1855 [see Protozoa]. 1858 Mayne Expos. Lex., Protophytum, applied (Protophyta, nom. pl. n.) by Fries to the Algæ, which he regarded as the first productions of the vegetable kingdom... Mackay established under this name a division containing the Mucores and Lichenes: a protophyte. 1860 H. Spencer in Westm. Rev. Jan. 99 The lowest forms of animal and vegetal life—Protozoa and Protophyta—are chiefly inhabitants of the water. 1895 Westm. Gaz. 14 Sept. 8/2 The oysters thrive best upon the living protophyta and protozoa. |