Anthoceros

/ænˈθɑːsərɑːs/ noun

Definition

A genus of hornworts, small green plants that are bryophytes (non-vascular plants) with distinctive horn-like reproductive structures.

Etymology

From Greek 'anthos' (flower) + 'keros' (horn). Named for the horn-shaped sporophytes that emerge from the plant body.

Kelly Says

Hornworts are living fossils that have barely changed in 400 million years—their simple structure hides sophistication: some species have single-celled chloroplasts that actually move within their cells, which is incredibly rare in nature.

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