Rhodophytan.
/ˌrəʊdə(ʊ)ˈfʌɪtə/, U.S. /ˌroʊdoʊˈfaɪdə/ Botany.
A division of algae comprising the red algae (see red alga n.); (with plural agreement) (also rhodophyta) algae of this division.
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1901 Bot. Gaz. 32 61 The author [sc. Wettstein] divides the plant kingdom into seven branches, as follows: 1) Myxophyta.., 5) Phaeophyta, 6) Rhodophyta, and 7) Cormophyta.
1940 D. A. Johansen Plant Microtechnique xxiv. 291 The Rhodophyta prefer warmer waters, but a few representatives may be found in northern latitudes.
1949 H. H. Strain in J. Franck & W. B. Loomis Photosynthesis in Plants vi. 138 Red algae (Rhodophyta) and blue-green algae (Myxophyta) usually contain phycobilins in addition to the chlorophylls and carotenoids.
1971 News (Van-Nuys, Calif.) 26 Sept. 13 a/3 They include..68 rhodophyta (called red algae and varying in size from a quarter-inch to three feet).
1996 Japan Times 29 Apr. 12/7 Carrageenan, a polysaccharide from the cell walls of Rhodophyta (red seaweeds) like Irish moss, helps when you want to stabilize, gel or emulsify.
2000 C. Tudge Variety of Life iii. 150 Red seaweeds are formally known as Rhodophyta..but, phylogenetically, they are very far removed from plants.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1901