Moss: Where and Why Does It Grow?By D. FortinWhen you're out and about walking, you're likely to see a green, carpet-like plant growing on the ground or other surfaces. This is known as moss, and it can grow just about anywhere. It may appear in small patches, or you might find a large area of moss in certain environments. If you've never really thought about moss, now is the time to gain an understanding of what it is, why it grows the way it does and where you can expect to find it.
What Exactly is Moss?This plant may look like grass, but it's really a mat of small plants that grow without roots. There aren't any stalks, and you won't find flowers, but they are still classified as plants. They use spores to produce more moss in suitable environments. Moss likes many of the same environments as fungi, which is something it is often confused with.
 When there is an environment that has expendable water, or a reliable water source, mosses will start to reproduce in that area. The lack of roots and stems means that they need a steady supply of water to truly thrive. Are There Other Plants Like Moss?Moss is one of the few plants found in the bryophytes family. These plants are some of the oldest, being millions of years old, and they play a vital role in different environments around the world.Other plants resembling moss include both hornwort and liverworts. These plants grow anywhere there is water present, as they strive to absorb the water and nutrients in an environment. They can be found in caves that are obviously damp but also exist in deserts with areas of water (even if they're just trace amounts). Where Does Moss Grow?From roofs to the sides of trees, moss will truly grow almost anywhere it can get water and nutrients. Spores sometimes spread to different areas, such as cracks in sidewalks or asphalt parking lots that have water. The spores can access both nutrients and hydration in these places, so they will start to grow and spread.This is also true for the sides of trees. You will often find moss growing on the side with the least amount of direct sunlight. Consequently, this part of the tree stays wet longer, and moss will start to reproduce under these conditions. Moss loves large roots that hold water and places like swamps where the ground stays damp most of the time. These are the areas where you'll see the largest deposits of moss. ReferencesEvaluating mosses on bioreceptive concrete: Effective sound absorbers? - ScienceDirectWhat Side of the Tree Does Moss Grow On? - Woodland Trust
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