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phytophthora

[fahy-tof-ther-uh]
noun
  1. any of a group of fungi of the genus Phytophthora, which cause a serious plant disease, especially affecting apple and pear trees and potatoes.
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Origin of phytophthora

< New Latin (1876), equivalent to Greek phyto- phyto- + -phthora, feminine of -phthoros, verbid of phtheírein to destroy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for phytophthora

Historical Examples

  • We must remember that prior to 1860 the life-history of Phytophthora was not known.

    Disease in Plants

    H. Marshall Ward

  • Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans) is the same fungus as the late blight of potatoes, affecting both foliage and fruit.

    The Tomato

    Paul Work

  • Among them are the vine mildew (Peronospora viticola) (Fig. 35), the potato fungus (Phytophthora infestans), and many others.