Phy`co*my*ce"tes (?), n. pl. [NL.; Gr. &?; seaweed + mycetes.] (Bot.)
A large, important class of parasitic or saprophytic fungi, the algal or algalike fungi. The plant body ranges from an undifferentiated mass of protoplasm to a well-developed and much-branched mycelium. Reproduction is mainly sexual, by the formation of conidia or sporangia; but the group shows every form of transition from this method through simple conjugation to perfect sexual reproduction by egg and sperm in the higher forms. -- Phy`co*my*ce"tous (#), a.
© Webster 1913