Moss

                             Marvellous moss

Moss is an extremely underrated plant, belonging to the phylum Bryophyta; a small group of non-vascular plants. Bryophytes were the first group of plants to successfully make it to land around 480 MYA. This was one of the most important events that have taken place in the history of the Earth, as this was the means for an oxygenated planet. 

There are around 12,000 species of moss worldwide (over 1,000 in the UK) and they are extremely overlooked. Moss is usually found in moist, damp areas, and this is down to a few reasons; the first being to aid in reproduction. Moss has both male and female reproductive organs, which are represented as different stalks of the moss; the archegonia produce the egg, and the antheridia produce the sperm. The plant lacking in any flowers or pollen, therefore needs to be wet enough to allow the sperm to reach the egg. Moss also lacks the vascular system of other plants, so they take water in through osmosis; being close to the ground and in clusters is very beneficial for this as it is easier for the moss to retain the water collected. With all this in mind, it is quite extraordinary to think that there are species of moss that have adapted to living in extreme conditions such as deserts. 

  

Moss has an impressive purpose and history, from being micro-homes to an array of small organisms to assisting in World War 1. Peat moss was used to stuff the wounds of soldiers as cotton for bandages was quickly being exhausted. The moss proved to be a great success and was found to be much more absorbent than bandages, provided antiseptic properties, and was a renewable source that was easy to attain. Moss also removes an extensive amount of CO2 from our atmosphere making it a great ally in climate change.