zoophyte

An invertebrate animal, such as a sea anemone or a sponge, that superficially resembles a plant. Not in scientific use.

A member of the Zoöphyta, in any sense; a radiate; a phytozoan.

The term is a loose popular equivalent of the technical designation; but it is convenient, and may be employed for any of the Zoöphyta in a proper sense, as corals, seaanemones, acalephs, and sponges. The chief objection to its use is its continued application to those polyzoans which are of coralline aspect, as these have no affinity with cœlenterates.

Any one of numerous species of invertebrate animals which more or less resemble plants in appearance, or mode of growth, as the corals, gorgonians, sea anemones, hydroids, bryozoans, sponges, etc., especially any of those that form compound colonies having a branched or treelike form, as many corals and hydroids.

Any one of the Zoöphyta.

Any of various invertebrate animals which resemble plants, such as sponges, corals and sea anemones.

any of various invertebrate animals resembling a plant such as a sea anemone or coral or sponge