They are land plants of extremes. Mosses have colonized the earth for more than 350 million years and thrive in almost all ecological conditions. Some species are under strict nature protection, others act as problem solvers in garden design or are vehemently combated. Get to know the most important moss species within the large moss departments: broadleaf mosses, liverworts and hornworts.
What types of moss are there?
Important moss species are deciduous mosses (e.g. E.g. peat mosses, sphagnum, multi-fruited leskemoss, Sparriger wrinkled brother), liverworts (e.g. fountain liver moss, bidentate comb calyx moss, tender liverwort) and hornworts (rare in Germany). They are extremely adaptable and grow in a variety of ecological conditions.
The class of mosses gives us well-known moss species
With more than 15,000 species, deciduous mosses (Bryophyta) are considered the largest division of plants. Due to their habit with sprouts and tiny leaves, they come closest to the common idea of moss plants. In addition, some of the most popular types of moss are represented within this department, which spread weal and woe in the garden.
- Peat mosses (Sphagnidae), whose water-tolerant species provide us with the peat substrate that is so important in the garden
- Sphagnum, as a subspecies of peat mosses, provides valuable services in the cultivation of orchids
- Very fruity Leske moss (Leskea polycarpa), a typical representative of moss carpets in floodplains and on tree trunks
- Sparrow wrinkled brother (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus) representative of the types of deciduous moss that matt our lawn
The survival artists within the moss department are the moss moss (Andreaeidae). Their species inhabit mountain rocks in all locations and can still be found at altitudes of 5,000 meters.
Decorative and helpful – these types of liverwort are convincing
In terms of diversity, the class of liverworts, with 10,000 species, can easily rival deciduous mosses. The majority of liverworts do not develop leaflets, but rather a highly complex, thread-like thallus. What is striking about leafy species is the rounded shape of the foliage, which - in contrast to leaf moss - often does not have a midrib. These species are common to home gardeners:
- Fountain liver moss (Marchantia polymorpha), which made a name for itself as the moss of the year in 2013
- Bidentate comb moss (Lophocolea bidentata), is considered a widespread lawn weed because it tolerates drought well
- Delicate liverwort (Monosolenium tenerum), the popular type of moss with a large thallus for the aquarium
Liverwort extract is highly valued in organic gardens. As the University of Bonn found out, the product works naturally against all kinds of fungal infections on ornamental and crop plants. Common moss species used here are bald fruit moss (Porella obtusata) and broom moss (Dicranum scoparium).
Hornmosses are becoming rare in Germany
With just under 150 species, hornworts are considered an isolated division within the moss plants. In our latitudes you will rarely discover the 2 mm small, green columns in the wild. Since hornworts come from the tropical regions of the world, they only appear in summer in warm, humid locations, where they are reminiscent of green algae at first glance.
Tip
The irrepressible will to survive in mosses became apparent during a scientific experiment. A moss plant that had been frozen in the Arctic ice for more than 1,500 years was busy sprouting again under ideal living conditions. It is therefore no surprise that combating moss in lawns and paved areas is so time-consuming.
