Mighty Moss and Lively Lichen
What is moss?
Moss is basically a short plant that likes to cling to the surface of rocks, soil, and even rooftops!
Where does moss grow?
Moss loves shady wet forest floor, foggy areas and most places where there is water. You may have seen moss on rocks, forest floors, and even on tile and rooftops!
Let's take a closer look at moss
- Moss stays small because they are are non-vascular plants which means they don't have lignin in their cells like larger plants do. Lignin is what gives plant cells a thick strong structure and allows them to stand up beyond a few centimeters.
- Unlike larger plants, they have thin cells that allow them to get nutrients directly from the water and air around them.
- Moss can be very resilient to drought and can even completely dry out then fluff up when water comes back again!
The Gifts of Moss
How does moss help us?
Moss helps so many areas of our ecosystem, including...
Tardigrades
Moss is home to many tiny microscopic animals, including, the toughest animal on earth.
Activities
Explore our parks!
With your adult, print this pocket guide and see if you can spot some moss!
Make some moss art!
The embroidered moss art below is all about texture. Can you make moss art that is bumpy, lumpy, smooth, and fuzzy all at once? Photos courtesy of Pinterest.
Touch some moss!
Notice how it feels, where it grows, what sounds you hear.
Word Search
Click and drag on the letters below to highlight the words you have found!
Explore Outside!
Come take a walk with us!
Come take a walk with us at the Tacoma Tree Foundation and search for moss and lichen!
Our next Nature Explorers walk is our annual Trick or Tree on November 1 at 10:30am. Check our calendar for location.
Bats flying at sunset
