Phycomycetes \Phy`co*my*ce"tes\, n. pl. [NL.; Gr. fy^kos seaweed
   + mycetes.] (Bot.)
   A large, important class of parasitic or saprophytic fungi,
   the algal or algalike fungi. The plant body ranges from an
   undifferentiated mass of protoplasm to a well-developed and
   much-branched mycelium. Reproduction is mainly sexual, by the
   formation of conidia or sporangia; but the group shows every
   form of transition from this method through simple
   conjugation to perfect sexual reproduction by egg and sperm
   in the higher forms. -- Phy`co*my*ce"tous, a.
   [Webster 1913 Suppl.]