Mnium hornum explained

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]

Notes and References

[Johann Hedwig|Hedwig]
Web site: Mnium hornum - Swan's-neck thyme-moss. https://web.archive.org/web/20230728150233/https://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Mnium-hornum.pdf. 28 July 2023. en-GB. live. 28 July 2023.
Web site: SWAN’S-NECK THYME-MOSS (Mnium hornum). https://web.archive.org/web/20230728150659/https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/mosses/swans-neck-thyme-moss/. 28 July 2023. en-GB. live. 28 July 2023.
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 . 10.1007/s10600-012-0175-7 . 28 July 2023.