imperfect fungus

noun

: any of a large and varied group of fungi that are only known to reproduce by the production of asexual spores (conidia) and in which a sexual form of reproduction is lacking or has not been scientifically observed

Note: Imperfect fungi are often considered to comprise a taxonomic division (Deuteromycota) or class (Deuteromycetes).

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

imperfect fungus

noun

im·​per·​fect fungus (ˈ)im-ˈpər-fikt- 

: any of a large and heterogeneous group of fungi that lack a sexual stage or have an imperfectly known life cycle, that include many which are undoubtedly ascomycetes or more rarely basidiomycetes for which the perfect stage exists but has not been identified, and that are variously considered to comprise the division Deuteromycota, the subdivision Deuteromycotina, or the class Deuteromycetes

called also deuteromycete