leptothrix

noun

lep·​to·​thrix ˈlep-tə-ˌthriks 

1

capitalized : a genus of sheathed filamentous bacteria of uncertain taxonomic affiliation that often have the sheath encrusted with oxides of iron or manganese see leptotrichia

2

plural leptotrichia ˌlep-tə-ˈtrik-ē-ə  also leptotriches lep-ˈtä-trə-ˌkēz  : any bacterium of the genus Leptothrix