: Most species have only one large, lens-shaped chloroplast per cell, which contains a pyrenoid —a structure typically found in algae but rare in land plants.

Anthocerotaceae is the primary family of within the order Anthocerotales. These unique bryophytes are characterized by their simple, thalloid gametophytes and distinctive horn-like sporophytes that grow continuously from a basal meristem. Key Botanical Characteristics

The plants in this family possess several features that distinguish them from other bryophytes like mosses and liverworts:

The family currently centers on the genus Anthoceros , which is the largest and most widely distributed.

: Unlike other plants, the horn-shaped sporophyte grows from its base, allowing it to produce spores over an extended period. Classification and Taxonomy

: The gametophyte is a flat, green, lobed body that lacks internal air chambers.

: The thallus contains internal cavities filled with mucilage that often host Nostoc , a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium.