- Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm (0.4-4 in) tall, though some species are much larger.
- Moss patches can make its own soil from particles in the environment.
- They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations.
- Reindeers eat moss because it contains a chemical that keeps their blood warm. Much like the anti-freeze in your car.
- The mosses do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems. At certain times mosses produce spore capsules which may appear as beak-like capsules borne aloft on thin stalks.
- During summer, moss can reduce its metabolism to almost zero in order to survive.
- There are approximately 12,000 species of moss classified in the Bryophyta. The division Bryophyta formerly included not only mosses, but also liverworts and hornworts. These other two groups of bryophytes now are often placed in their own divisions.
- Moss can grow in temperatures just above zero degrees.
- It is not true that moss only grows on the north side of trees. In fact, they will grow anywhere that has moisture and sunlight.
- Moss cannot survive in a polluted environment.
10 interesting facts about moss
