noun
- a plant that lacks true roots, stems, and leaves, such as algae, fungi, and lichens
Usage: botanical; somewhat archaic classification term
Examples
- Algae are classified as thallophytes because they lack specialized tissue systems.
- The botanist studied various thallophytes growing on the rocky shore.
- Fungi represent a major group of thallophytes found in forest ecosystems.
- Unlike flowering plants, thallophytes do not have true vascular systems.
- Lichens are composite thallophytes formed by algae and fungi living together.
- The pond was covered with green thallophytes during the warm summer months.