gnetophyte

noun

gne·​to·​phyte ˈnē-tō-ˌfīt 

plural gnetophytes

: any of a division (Gnetophyta) of mostly extinct gymnosperms that have vessels in the xylem resembling those of angiosperms and that includes ephedra, gnetum, and welwitschia

The growth form diversity of modern gnetophytes is very high for a taxon with only few members …

—V. A. Krassilov

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Gnetum, genus name + -o- + -phyte, after New Latin Gnetophyta, division of plants — more at gnetum

Note: The division was first proposed as Gnetales by the American botanist Charles Bessey in "A Synopsis of Plant Phyla," University Studies (University of Nebraska), vol. 7, no. 4 (October, 1907), p. 323.

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above