Winter Blessings and Beauties, Day 83: Moss and Lichen

Although the trees are bare in Winter, they have their own beauty at this time of year. The absence of leaves makes it easy to see the graceful arch of branches silhouetted  against the sky, and it also reveals the amazing textures and colours of the lichens and mosses growing on them. 

Winter Blessings and Beauties: Day 83

Moss and Lichen

Mosses and Lichens are among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Different species can grow in some of the most extreme environments on the planet. Some have been or still are used in horticulture and floristry, or as foodstuffs, insulation, medicine, dyes and perfumes. 

Take note of the mosses and lichens in your area. Notice the colours, shapes, textures. Where are they most prolific? If they are absent, what is the likely reason? Is the environment too dry, too exposed to sunlight or too shaded? A complete lack of lichens could be due to air pollution, although there may be other environmental factors at work, or merely a lack of suitable surfaces for them to inhabit. 

Mosses and lichens are the kind of everyday miracles that surround us, often quite unseen in our everyday lives. Take a little time to notice and appreciate their beauty and variety.