schizophyte

English

Etymology

From schizo- (“split, cleft”) +‎ -phyte (“plant”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈskɪtsəʊˌfaɪt/

Noun

schizophyte (plural schizophytes)

1. (dated, biology) Any of a class of primitive organisms that reproduce solely by fission.
   • 1940, Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, volume 81, page 14:

     Of 100 flagellates observed, stained so as to demonstrate Fusiformis unmistakably, 22 had an abundance of the schizophyte, 78 had none or very few. Many flagellates had a few forms identical in appearance with Fusiformis hilli adherent by one end to the posterior end of the body.

Derived terms

• schizophytic