cryptogam

[ krip-tuh-gam ]

noun

, Botany.

1. any of the Cryptogamia, a former primary division of plants that have no true flowers or seeds and that reproduce by spores, as the ferns, mosses, fungi, and algae.

cryptogam

/ krɪpˈtɒɡəməs; ˈkrɪptəʊˌɡæm /

noun

1. (in former plant classification schemes) any organism that does not produce seeds, including algae, fungi, mosses, and ferns Compare phanerogam

Derived Forms

• ˌcryptoˈgamic, adjective

Other Words From

• crypto·gamic cryp·tog·a·mous [krip-, tog, -, uh, -m, uh, s], crypto·gami·cal adjective
• cryp·toga·mist noun
• cryp·toga·my noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryptogam¹

From the New Latin word Cryptogamia, dating back to 1840–50. See crypto-, -gamy

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryptogam¹

C19: from New Latin Cryptogamia, from crypto- + Greek gamos marriage

Example Sentences

This is found in many phanerogams and cryptogams.

From Project Gutenberg

Selaginella, sē-laj-i-nel′a, n. a genus of heterosporous cryptogams, allied to club-moss.

From Project Gutenberg

The saline incrustations, fungi and stalagmites, rapidly changed in appearance, an endless variety of stony figures and vegetable cryptogams recurring successively before my eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

The lower forms of the cryptogams, the lichens and the fungi, abound in greatest profusion as might be expected.

From Project Gutenberg

These discoveries tend to show the probable existence in the Siluro-Cambrian of plants representing two of the three leading families of the higher cryptogams or flowerless plants, namely, the Club-mosses and the Mare’s-tails.

From Project Gutenberg