Mosses, Liverworts and Lichens

Mosses and liverworts are simple, primitive, low-growing plants which often do not even reach a centimetre high. Moss is frequently found in damp, shady spots; it has no roots but forms dense cushions or mats on rocks, trunks, walls and roofs. Liverworts are broad, flattened plants which anchor themselves with root-like structures and are also found in damp places.
Lichens are unusual organisms formed by a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga. These very hardy plants are found in both the hottest and coldest of habitats; they are indicators of clean air as they are intolerant of pollution and rarely found in industrial areas. Lichens appear in three forms: those which make a crusty coating, those with scales or leaf-like lobes and others like miniature bushes. Growth is very slow and many are long-lived; some patches are estimated to be over 4000 years old.
In this gallery of mosses, liverworts and lichens we hope to show how well they reward our closer inspection with their myriad intricate and colourful structures, creating seemingly alien landscapes when magnified through the lens.