Anthoceros punctatus

Phylum: Anthocerotophyta

Family: Anthocerotaceae

Genus: Anthoceros

Scientific Name: Anthoceros punctatus Linnaeus

Common Name	Dotted hornwort
Quick & Dirty ID	XXXXXX

Image Gallery Distinguishing Features

Distribution Map Relevant Literature

Image Gallery

iNaturalist

Distinguishing Features

Functionally a weed in the region, the infrequent occurence on A. punctatus on disturbed urban and agricultural soils is one of the only hints to its identification. It has a dissected and fluted deep green thallus with dark spots visible under the hand lens. The sporophytes when present are roughly 5cm long and darkened by the presence of black spores.

Similar species

Lacking bulbils and possessing dark, tall sporophytes, it is distinct from all other hornwort species in the region with the exception of A. fusiformis. The distinction is microscopic, with A. punctatus having spores that are pitted along their inside face, while A. fusiformis has spores that are spiny all over.

Habitat

Disturbed urban and agricultural soils

Associated species

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Distribution Map

Relevant Literature

Godfrey, J.D. (1977). Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of southwestern British Columbia . [Doctoral dissertation, University of British Columbia]. UBC cIRcle.
Hong, W. S. (2007). Scapania. In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (Eds.), Flora of North America North of Mexico (Vol. 3) . Oxford University Press.
Wagner, D. H. (2013). Guide to the liverworts of Oregon: Scapania undulata . Oregon State University Herbarium.