Photo credit: Papori Barua, Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management, Murdoch University, School of Biological Science, South Street, Perth, Australia 6150

Phytophthora is a genus of the Oomycetes (water molds) which, through convergent evolution, have similarities to fungi. However, oomycetes are not fungi (as had been earlier thought), but are part of Stramenopiles, a kingdom distinct from plants, fungi, and animals that also includes diatoms and golden-brown and brown algae, such as kelp.