Phaeoceros

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Phaeoceros

Phaeoceros laevis (L.) Prosk.

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Anthocerotophyta
Class:	Anthocerotopsida
Order:	Anthocerotales
Family:	Anthocerotaceae
Genus:	Phaeoceros Prosk.

Species

Phaeoceros bulbiculosus (Brot.) Prosk.
Phaeoceros dichotomus
Phaeoceros evanidus
Phaeoceros hallii (Austin) Prosk.
Phaeoceros laevis (L.) Prosk.
Phaeoceros laevis subsp. carolinianus (Michx.) Prosk.
Phaeoceros mohrii (Austin) Hässel
Phaeoceros novazealandicus
Phaeoceros pearsonii (M. Howe) Prosk.
Phaeoceros striatisporus J. Haseg.
Phaeoceros tjipanasanus

Phaeoceros is a genus of hornworts in the family Anthocerotaceae. The genus is global in its distribution. Its name means 'yellow horn', and refers to the characteristic yellow spores that the plants produce in the horn-shaped sporophyte. The yellow color of the spores is the easiest way to distinguish Phaeoceros from the related genus Anthoceros, which produces spores that are dark brown to black.

Spores of Phaeoceros sp.

The genus Phaeoceros was first recognized in 1951 by Johannes Max Proskauer. The type specimen is Phaeoceros laevis. The genus is distinguished by having yellow spores, different chloroplast structure, relatively less frilliness of the thallus when compared to Anthoceros, and a relative lack of internal cavities in Phaeoceros.