A small, non-vascular plant characterized by a horn-like sporophyte that grows directly from the flattened gametophyte body. Hornworts are distinguished from other bryophytes by their unique chloroplasts and continuous growth of the sporangium.
Named for the distinctive horn-shaped sporophyte that emerges from the plant body, from Old English 'horn' plus 'wort' meaning plant. The term reflects the most recognizable feature that distinguishes these plants from mosses and liverworts.
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