1.11 To understand the natural balance between living organisms  (Page 2/3)

The structure of the moss plant is more complicated than that of fungi, but simpler than that of trees or flowers. Mosses have chlorophyll and can therefore, through the process of photosynthesis, produce their own food. Mosses, however, do not propagate by means of seeds, but by means of spores.

Are you able to identify one DIFFERENCE and one SIMILARITY between mosses and fungi?

(ii) Growth of moss in damp environments

All plants need water to survive. Many kinds of moss get moisture form the air and are therefore found near water (rivers) or in areas with high rainfall. The mosses flourish in such circumstances and sometimes form a dense green “curtain”.

As these mosses do not have to get their moisture from the soil, they can grow on different surfaces. They attach themselves to barks, bricks, rocks and cement and even grow on thatched roofs. Moss that grows on a rocky surface has a network of stems and leaves.

(iii) Growth of moss in drier environments

Some mosses can survive in deserts, because they can do without water for long periods of time. Without water they become very dry, the leaves roll up and then turn black or brown. Some of these mosses can survive for as long as 10 years without water. When the rains eventually come, their green colour returns and they start growing again.

A tough kind of moss, Decranella heteromalla, is even found in the cracks of volcanoes.

(iv) Growth of moss in dark environments

Some kinds of mosses that grow in dark places like caves, have a very special characteristic: they glow in the dark. Their plant bodies contain cells like lenses which reflect light. Because of this they are sometimes called “ghost gold”.

Discuss with your friend: Is “ghost gold” an original name for this kind of moss?

Assignment 18

Evaluate the following statement: Moss plants are very adaptable. Write a short paragraph in which you evaluate this statement. Motivate your finding.

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(a) During World War II a certain moss plant was used as a dressing for wounds.

Supply two possible reasons for this:

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