Moss

Moss

Mosses are often found in damp or shady locations, they are small flowerless plants that grow in green clumps. They are typically 0.2-10 cm tall, but you can also find larger species which can grow up to 50 cm in height. They do not have seeds, they use spores to reproduce. Mosses get commonly mixed up with liverworts and lichens. There are around 12,000 species of mosses!!! You will most likely see them in the deep, damp forests or at the edges of streams. They can also be found in cracks between paving stones in damp city streets, and on roofs. In England, pretty much every roof has moss on it, because it rains so much! It is a lovely looking plant, many gardeners keep it for decoration.

Moss growing on damp branches

Mosses do not have roots. They can live underwater. Mosses were the first plants to survive on solid ground. They evolved from algae. Most species of moss will live from  3 to 10 years, depending on how much water there is. Just like all plants, they get there energy from the sun.  Most mosses are in a group called Bryopsida.