CRYPTOGAMIA
Cryptogamia
(noun) in former classification systems: one of two major plant divisions, including all plants that do not bear seeds: ferns, mosses, algae, fungi
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Cryp`to*ga"mi*a (krp`t-g"m-), n.; pl. Cryptogamiæ (-. Etym: [NL., fr.
Gr. krypto`s hidden, secret + ga`mos marriage.] (Bot.)
Definition: The series or division of flowerless plants, or those never
having true stamens and pistils, but propagated by spores of various
kinds.
Note: The subdivisions have been variously arranged. The following
arrangement recognizes four classes: --I. Pteridophyta, or Vascular
Acrogens. These include Ferns, Equiseta or Scouring rushes,
Lycopodiaceæ or Club mosses, Selaginelleæ, and several other smaller
orders. Here belonged also the extinct coal plants called
Lepidodendron, Sigillaria, and Calamites. II. Bryophita, or Cellular
Acrogens. These include Musci, or Mosses, Hepaticæ, or Scale mosses
and Liverworts, and possibly Characeæ, the Stoneworts. III. Algæ,
which are divided into Florideæ, the Red Seaweeds, and the orders
Dictyoteæ, Oösporeæ, Zoösporeæ, Conjugatæ, Diatomaceæ, and
Cryptophyceæ. IV. Fungi. The molds, mildews, mushrooms, puffballs,
etc., which are variously grouped into several subclasses and many
orders. The Lichenes or Lichens are now considered to be of a mixed
nature, each plant partly a Fungus and partly an Alga.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition