Phytophilaspis is a phosphatized[2] genus of trilobite-like arthropod with eyes, found in association with algal remains.

[3] Phytophilaspis has several features in common with trilobites, including: tripartite division of the dorsal shield; presence of prominent pygidium; large eyes, situated on the pleural area of the cephalon; facial sutures, and shape of the hypostome.

However, it differs from trilobites in many ways, including a reduced thorax, thoracic pleura fused to each other and to the cephalon and pygidium, facial sutures not crossing the eyes, and weak original mineralization of the cuticle.

[1] Because of these differences, Phytophilaspis was originally assigned to the Artiopodan subclass Concilliterga, in an undetermined order and family.

[1] It was later considered by Bergström and Hou as a xandarellid, along with Cindarella, Xandarella and Sinoburius.