Main Entry:

psi·lo·phyte

Pronunciation:

\ˈsī-lə-ˌfīt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin Psilophyton, genus of plants, from Greek psilos bare, mere (probably akin to Greek psēn to rub) + phyton plant — more at phyt-

Date:

circa 1911

: any of a division (Psilophyta) of simple dichotomously branched plants that first appeared during the Late Silurian, are now limited to two extant genera, lack true leaves and roots, and include the oldest known land plants with vascular tissue

— psi·lo·phyt·ic \ˌsī-lə-ˈfi-tik\ adjective