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by Cindy 4 Comments

Lichen vs. Moss

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It can be difficult during a nature walk to identify lichen vs. moss. These simple descriptions and pictures should help you learn the differences between the two.

Lichen vs. Moss: What's the Difference?  | Our Journey Westward

Lichen vs. Moss: What’s the Difference?

Through the course of our nature clubs and writing the NaturExplorers studies, the following question has come up several times. “What’s the difference between a lichen and a moss?”

The answer is really quite simple. Lichens are not a plant, while mosses are.

Tons of creative nature walks to study fungi! Hands-on activities and kid-friendly research-based projects, too!

In the NaturExplorers study A Fungus Among Us, we dive into the topic of lichens because they’re a type of fungus. However, they are unlike a “normal” fungus because a lichen can’t exist without algae or cyanobacteria. In other words, lichens and algae (or the bacteria) have a symbiotic relationship – the algae provide the lichens with photosynthetic energy, while the lichens provide protection for the algae.

Lichens reproduce either through the production of spores like most other fungi, or can sometimes reproduce when fragments of the tough, bark-like structure break off and fall on an appropriate surface.

Lichens grow in all sorts of climates and on all sorts of things from trees to gravestones to metal poles. Normally, finding a fungus growing on a tree is a bad sign for the tree since the mycelia from the fungus grow into the tree and compromise its health. However, many naturalists believe that lichens are actually a good thing for most trees and can provide them with healthful nutrients!

Lichens don’t always look alike, but a general description is a dull, flat, leafy, crusty growth. You can view some of my recent lichen photographs below.

How do you tell the difference between a lichen vs. a moss? This simple description will make identifying them a breeze!
How do you tell the difference between a lichen vs. a moss? This simple description will make identifying them a breeze!
How do you tell the difference between a lichen vs. a moss? This simple description will make identifying them a breeze!

Mosses are plants. They’re typically soft and grow in dark, damp places like a rock in an intermittent stream or on the floor of a damp wooded area. One good way to describe a moss is like a green mat that you might place on your porch.

Even though mosses make their own food through photosynthesis like other plants, they do not have flowers or seeds. Instead, they send out spores or can reproduce when one part of the moss breaks off and lands in an appropriate place for growth.

Below are pictures of moss we found on a recent nature walk.

How do you tell the difference between a lichen vs. a moss? This simple description will make identifying them a breeze!
How do you tell the difference between a lichen vs. a moss? This simple description will make identifying them a breeze!
How do you tell the difference between a lichen vs. a moss? This simple description will make identifying them a breeze!

I hope you can easily tell the difference between lichen vs. moss during nature study!

Do Nature Study with Us!

We studied lichens in detail during a fun and interactive No Sweat Nature Study LIVE lesson. Members have access to the entire library of recorded classes + have the opportunity to attend two brand-new LIVE classes each month.

Learn science through nature study, create notebooking pages, and have FUN in No Sweat Nature Study LIVE classes.

We would love for your family to join us to experience science through nature and nature journaling in a unique, online setting that can inspire a LOVE for all things nature.

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Last Updated: April 28, 2020 Filed Under: High School, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: botany, fungi, fungus, lichen, moss, nature walk

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Comments

  1. Liza says

    April 20, 2016 at 8:38 pm

    Thank you! Thank you! I am about to teach a lesson on this very topic to our Nature Club, and your post is a perfect fit! Thank you so much for sharing!

  2. Cindy says

    April 20, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    You’re welcome, Liza. Have a great nature club meeting!

  3. Jack Tellner says

    August 1, 2017 at 10:05 pm

    My last BS summer camp was at Camp Cedars, and one of my merit badges was Nature and Insect Study. When we were going on a nature walk to tour the trees with plaques, one of the trees had moss on it. One scout who acted like a smartass/know-it-all, and a rebel who went off on his own and disobeyed our instructor got all worked up at it being lichen.

Trackbacks

  1. The Charlotte Mason Carnival Goes on a Woodland Walk | Our Journey Westward says:
    December 23, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    […] At Shining Dawn Books I explain the difference between two common nature study finds in Lichens vs. Mosses. […]

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When my boys were little, I loved reading these “letters from God” to them as blessings to start the day.
As I was sorting bookshelves earlier this month, I stumbled across this sweet book again. I decided the blessings are still as pertinent today for my bigger boy as they were years ago. So, we’re starting our day yet again with a quick, but powerful “letter from God” before jumping into our daily Bible studies.
Do you do anything special to start your day off on the right foot? I’d love to hear about it!
Click the link in my bio for a link to the book.
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Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. It’s cold, the days are dark, and everyone’s cooped up together 24/7. That’s a recipe for the winter blahs to march right into your house and wreak havoc on attitudes and motivation.⠀
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Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’ Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’s true, you know. I’ve told my children for years that it only takes a nature walk to see God through His handiwork and to know that His promises are true.⠀
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We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break! 🎉🎁🎂🏀🥰
I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍 I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍
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