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Anthoceros agrestis - Field Hornwort

Anthoceros agrestis, commonly known as field hornwort, is a bryophyte belonging to the genus Anthoceros. It is recognized for having a complicated taxonomic history.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Anthoceros agrestis
• Common Name: Field Hornwort
• Family: Anthocerotaceae
• Kingdom: Viridiplantae
• Rank: Species
• Synonyms:
  • Anthoceros crispulus auct.
  • Anthoceros punctatus auct.
  • Anthoceros punctatus subsp. agrestis (Paton) Damsh.
  • Aspiromitus agrestis (Paton) Schljakov
  • Aspiromitus punctatus var. agrestis (Paton) R.M.
• Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 547321

Distribution and Habitat

• Anthoceros agrestis has a global distribution.
• In Canada, it is a native species and regularly occurring.
• It typically grows on damp soil in fields and ditches.

Morphological Characteristics

• The plant forms a round, rosette-shaped, and lobed thallus.
• The thallus is thin-layered and marginally lacerated.
• Horn-like sporophytes are characteristic.
• Mature spores have walls consisting of granules that vary in size and shape.

Ecological Role

• Anthoceros agrestis colonizes various fresh, open areas on moderately nutrient-rich and moist soils.

Cytological Information

• Cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase has been identified from cell cultures of Anthoceros agrestis.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• A new alkaloid, anthocerodiazonin, along with six glutamic acid amides, has been isolated from in vitro cultures of this hornwort.

Model Species

• Anthoceros agrestis has been established as a model hornwort species for laboratory experiments and for studying the biology of hornworts. Axenic culture conditions have been developed for its maintenance and study.

Further Resources

• Encyclopedia of Life
• MetaCyc
• Tropicos
• Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera