Mosses: Is city Moss darker?

Discussion in 'Plants with Spores (Ferns, Mosses, et al.)' started by games, Sep 10, 2019.

Tags:
  1. games

    games New Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    ireland
    Hi all,

    The moss I see in the city on north-facing roads and walls is darker than the lighter green moss you would see in the forest. Is this because the moss is a different type, or because city moss absorbs pollution and dirt?

    Thanks
     
  2. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    10,574
    Likes Received:
    615
    Location:
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    There are many different species of moss, much like there are different species of plants--and each has its own range of colour.
     
    games likes this.
  3. games

    games New Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    ireland
    Thanks, so the moss that tends to grow in cities has a darker color?
     
  4. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

    Messages:
    1,215
    Likes Received:
    375
    Location:
    Estonia
    Well lit moss tend to be lighter than poorly lit moss. Moss is especially dark in the night conditions, without any artificial lighting.
     
  5. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    10,574
    Likes Received:
    615
    Location:
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Heh.

    The species of moss in cities, often Grimmia spp. in the most concrete-filled areas, are about the same colour green as the Grimmia species found in high alpine environments. I don't think there is a tendency here that one can draw a conclusion on.
     
  6. games

    games New Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    ireland
    Here is an example of moss I found on concrete next to my home

    One part is dark and the other one is lighter. Any idea of why there are colour differences for the same moss plant?

    Thanks
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    10,574
    Likes Received:
    615
    Location:
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Two different species of moss, perhaps? One also looks like it is covered with sporophytes, which may be a different colour than the leaves below.
     
  8. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

    Messages:
    1,215
    Likes Received:
    375
    Location:
    Estonia
    I assume, the light green is fresh growth. The dark green is old, maybe already dying moss.
    The moss probably started at the side of the curbstone, where there was plenty of moisture and nutrients, washed there from the road. The moss shifted moist and nutrient rich environment away from the curbstone and invaded new positions towards the centre of the road. Now the new moss filters nutrients and the old one at the edge of the curbstone remains hungry and eventually dies. This way the moss is moving towards the road axis, until to the area, where wheels of the vehicles prevent it to move any further.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2019

Share This Page