Anthoceros agrestis (Paton) Damsholt

Dataset
English Wikipedia - Species Pages: Rank
SPECIES

Classification

genus
Anthoceros: species
Anthoceros agrestis

Abstract

Anthoceros agrestis, commonly called field hornwort, is a bryophyte of the genus Anthoceros. It has complicated taxonomies.

Chemistry

Production of Rosmarinic acid and a rosmarinic acid 3'-O-beta-D-glucoside in suspension cultures of this hornwort was also discovered in 2005. Anthocerodiazonin, an alkaloid, was isolated from in vitro cultures of the species. Also, six glutamic acid amides, N-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-glutamic acid, N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-glutamic acid, N-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoyl)-glutamic acid, (E)-N-(isoferuloyl)-glutamic acid, (Z)-N-(isoferuloyl)-glutamic acid and (Z)-N-(p-coumaroyl)-glutamic acid were obtained as natural products.

Description

Anthoceros agrestis grows as a thin, dark green, rosette-like thallus up to 1.5 cm in diameter, superficially resembling a leafless liverwort. The surface is punctured with hollows containing the male organs. The spore-producing bodies lack a stalk or capsule but produce erect, cylindrical structures that turn black as they mature. They then split open to reveal the spore-bearing central spindle and release the black spores.

Distribution and habitat

This hornwort has a circum-boreal distribution across temperate Europe and North America. It is a lowland species found in moist soil in arable fields and ditches. It is listed as vulnerable in the Irish Red Data Book as it is known from fewer than five locations in the country. It occurs at a single location in Northern Ireland, in County Down, and because of its rarity there, it is listed as a Northern Ireland Priority Species.

Taxonomy

A specimen of Anthoceros agrestis in Schwäbisch-Fränkische Waldberge, Deutschland.

This species of Anthoceros is known for having enzymes like cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.13.11), a cytochrome P450-dependent hydroxylase. Cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H; EC 1.14.13.11) is one of the first known plant cytochrome P450 monooxygenasesRussell and Conn 1967, Russell 1971 and also one of the best-characterized cytochrome P450 hydroxylases from higher plants.Werck-Reichhardt 1995

Name

Homonyms: Anthoceros agrestis (Paton) Damsholt