Phytophthora
/fʌɪˈtɒfθ(ə)rə/Mycology and Agriculture
noun
A genus of oomycete fungi (order Peronosporales) including many plant pathogens, typically causing root, collar, and fruit rots; (also phytophthora) a fungus of this genus, especially Phytophthora infestans, the cause of potato blight.
Origin
Late 19th century. From scientific Latin Phytophthora, genus name from phyto- + ancient Greek ϕθορά destruction.