Cryptogame
As a cryptogame ( Greek kryptos hidden, secretly; gamein marry), secret or hidden bloomers originally referred to a plant whose sexual reproduction takes place without a flower (i.e. inconspicuous).
From a taxonomic point of view, cryptogams do not form a closed systematic unit. The term “cryptogams” is used inconsistently in biology, but its central meaning always includes flowerless plants and is also equated with the term lower plants . Among the cryptogams are depending on the angle of bacteria , algae , mosses , lichens , lycopodiopsida , ferns and fungi also very rare viruses counted.
The sexual reproduction takes place at the Kryptogamen as part of a generational change instead, only the haploid generation ( gametophyte ) by mitosis gametes forms, while the diploid generation ( sporophyte ) through meiosis the haploid spores produced. Also slime molds are counted among the cryptogams, although it is with them - not to plant - as with the genuine mushrooms.
The name of this group of organisms goes back to the Linnaeus systematics developed in 1735 and means something like "those who mate in hiding". They were juxtaposed with the phanerogams , ie the "visibly pairing" flowering plants .