phytophthora

noun
phy·​toph·​tho·​ra | \ fīˈtäfthərə\

Definition of phytophthora

1 capitalized : a genus of destructive parasitic fungi (family Pythiaceae) having conidia that usually act as sporangia especially under moist cool conditions and sporangiophores that are simple or branched — see late blight, pythiacystis

2 plural -s

a : any fungus of the genus Phytophthora
b : a disease (as late blight) caused by such a fungus

History and Etymology for phytophthora

New Latin, from phyt- + -phthora

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