Protophyta

plural noun

Pro·toph·y·ta

prəˈtäfətə

: a major category of lower plants: such as

in former classifications : a division or other group comprising the algae, fungi, and lichens

in some especially former classifications : a division or other group comprising unicellular plants and including bacteria, yeasts, slime molds, blue-green algae, and various simple green algae

—often used as a term of convenience rather than strict taxonomy compare protista

in some classifications : a division comprising unicellular and noncellular organisms and including blue-green algae, bacteria, rickettsias and related organisms, and viruses

—used chiefly in bacteriological taxonomy