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phytoplasma

noun

Any of various specialized bacteria that are obligate parasites of plant phloem tissue and of some insects, characterized by the lack of a cell wall, a pleiomorphic or filamentous shape (normally with a diameter of less than one micrometer), and their very small genomes.

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Meanings

nounphytoplasma (plural phytoplasmas)

plural phytoplasmas

Any of various specialized bacteria that are obligate parasites of plant phloem tissue and of some insects, characterized by the lack of a cell wall, a pleiomorphic or filamentous shape (normally with a diameter of less than one micrometer), and their very small genomes.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see

mycoplasma-like organism

Origin

From phyto- + plasma.

Full word history & related roots →

Cite this entry

APA

phytoplasma. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phytoplasma

MLA

“phytoplasma.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phytoplasma. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “phytoplasma,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phytoplasma.

Source: phytoplasma on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.