Mnium hornum

Mnium hornum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Bryophyta
Class:	Bryopsida
Subclass:	Bryidae
Order:	Bryales
Family:	Mniaceae
Genus:	Mnium
Species:	M. hornum
Binomial name
Mnium hornum Hedwig, 1801

Mnium hornum, also known by the common names horn calcareous moss or swan's-neck thyme-moss, is a species of moss in the genus Mnium.[1]

Description

The upright stems of swan's-neck thyme-moss are 2 to 4 cm tall. Leaves are 4mm to 8mm long, with a toothed border of long, narrow cells. The vein ends a slightly below the tip of the leaf. The lower part of the stem has small, narrow triangular leaves. Capsules are 5mm long, with a lid that narrows abruptly into a short point. The seta is between 2.5 and 5 cm long.[2]

Habitat

Swan's-neck thyme-moss is native to Europe and eastern North America. It is commonly found in damp woodland conditions, especially in acidic soil, such as oak-birch, beech and pine woodlands. It is found on the ground, logs, rocks, tree bases and along streams.[3]

Uses

In 2012, researchers in Serbia found that Mnium hornum could be used as a potential source of arachidonic acid.[4]

References

1. Hedwig. Sp. Musc. Frond. (1801).
2. "Mnium hornum - Swan's-neck thyme-moss" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
3. "SWAN'S-NECK THYME-MOSS (Mnium hornum)". Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
4. Pejin, B; Vujisic, Lj; Sabovljevic, M; Tesevic, V; Vajs, V (22 March 2012). "The moss Mnium hornum, a promising source of arachidonic acid". Chemistry of Natural Compounds. 48: 120–121. doi:10.1007/s10600-012-0175-7. Retrieved 28 July 2023.