The New Student's Reference Work/Zoöphyte

Zoöphyte (zō′ō-fīt), an old name for marine animals forming branching or tree-like colonies and, therefore, presenting a general resemblance to plants. The sponges, hydroids, branching corals and polyzoans were included under this very general title. The name signifies the plant-animal, and is more especially applicable to hydroids and branching corals. See Hydrozoa.