Anthoceros punctatus Dotted Hornwort

A monoicous, Mediterranean-Atlantic hornwort which can be overlooked for a thallose liverwort unless it is producing the chacateristic horn-like sporophytes. It grows on wet banks, in arable fields, forestry tracks and river banks. The frilly edges to the thallus are a characteristic feature which separates Anthoceros from Phaeoceros. It is most frequent in the west of Britain and it is rather local in Wales. It is very rare in West Glamorgan with only two recent records. Populations may only persist at a site for 2 or 3 years.