Cryptogamia

9.9

A group of plants that do not make seeds, like ferns, mosses, algae and fungi

noun
/ˌkrɪp.təˈɡeɪ.mi.ə/

Archaic

: criptogamia

Algae and fungi were once grouped as Cryptogamia because they lack seeds or flowers.

Examples

In the nineteenth century, scientists classified ferns and mosses under Cryptogamia.
The term Cryptogamia is rarely used in modern botany, but appears in historical texts.
The study of Cryptogamia is essential for understanding plant evolution.
Many Cryptogamia species thrive in moist environments.
In the nineteenth century, scientists classified ferns and mosses under Cryptogamia.
Algae and fungi were once grouped as Cryptogamia because they lack seeds or flowers.
The study of Cryptogamia is essential for understanding plant evolution.

Antonyms

Phanerogamae

Archaic

9.9

An old name for the group of plants that have seeds

Surface Forms

Cryptogamia singular

Cryptogamias plural

Morphology

Cryptogamia = cryptogam (semi-transparent) = cryptogam + ia

Formed regularly by adding the class-forming suffix '-ia' to 'cryptogam', but both elements are technical/rare, so the meaning is not obvious to general learners.

Etymology

The word Cryptogamia comes from the Greek parts crypto- meaning 'hidden' and -gamy meaning 'marriage' or 'union', the same roots you see in cryptic and monogamy. It was used for plants that make new plants in a 'hidden' way because they have no visible flowers or seeds.