The
inconspicuous
super plant
With 450 million years, mosses are the oldest land plants on earth. They have used the long time of their existence to acquire amazing abilities. There are about 20,000 different species of moss in the world. Some grow in the most inhospitable and also driest places: on mountain peaks and even in deserts.
The outstanding abilities of moss can be explained by the fact that the inconspicuous plant lacks something crucial compared to other land plants: conductive tissue. Mosses feed exclusively through the air and are, on the one hand, astonishingly dispensable and, on the other hand, extremely efficient.
The
inconspicuous
super plant
With 450 million years, mosses are the oldest land plants on earth. They have used the long time of their existence to acquire amazing abilities. There are about 20,000 different species of moss in the world. Some grow in the most inhospitable and also driest places: on mountain peaks and even in deserts.
The outstanding abilities of moss can be explained by the fact that the inconspicuous plant lacks something crucial compared to other land plants: conductive tissue. Mosses feed exclusively through the air and are, on the one hand, astonishingly dispensable and, on the other hand, extremely efficient.
AIR CONDITIONER AND FINE DUST EXTRACTOR
Two special features in particular make mosses an important ally in the fight against global warming: air purification and cooling. If a particular moss is found in a place, then that says something about the components of the air in that place. And if no moss is growing, that means something, too. Some mosses use the ammonia from car exhaust as a nutrient. Others bind and metabolize heavy metals or fine dust.
And mosses are little sponges. Since they draw water only from the air, they do well to absorb and store a lot of moisture. Sphagnum moss, for example, can absorb 26 times its dry weight in water. Via evaporation, a considerable cooling of the air is generated. Anyone who has taken a break in a mossy forest clearing in summer knows this refreshing effect.
AIR CONDITIONER &
FINE DUST EXTRACTOR
Two special features in particular make mosses an important ally in the fight against global warming: air purification and cooling. If a particular moss is found in a place, then that says something about the components of the air in that place. And if no moss is growing, that means something, too. Some mosses use the ammonia from car exhaust as a nutrient. Others bind and metabolize heavy metals or fine dust.
And mosses are little sponges. Since they draw water only from the air, they do well to absorb and store a lot of moisture.
Sphagnum moss, for example, can absorb 26 times its dry weight in water. Via evaporation, a considerable cooling of the air is generated. Anyone who has taken a break in a mossy forest clearing in summer knows this refreshing effect.
How does moss do that?
Mosses are “simply built” compared to most other land plants. Their general blueprint is designed to grab and take in. They do often have what looks like a bud, stem, leaflet, or root. But strictly speaking, they do not have any of these.
The rhizoids (meaning root-like), for example, do allow mosses to cling to the ground or protrusions, but unlike true roots, mosses cannot absorb water or nutrients with them.
How does moss do that?
Mosses are “simply built” compared to most other land plants. Their general blueprint is designed to grab and take in. They do often have what looks like a bud, stem, leaflet, or root. But strictly speaking, they do not have any of these.
Mosses are “simply built” compared to most other land plants. Their general blueprint is designed to grab and take in. They do often have what looks like a bud, stem, leaflet, or root. But strictly speaking, they do not have any of these.
WHY MOSS
NEEDS TO BE
IN CITIES!
WHY MOSS
NEEDS TO BE
IN CITIES!
HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE
Mosses have a huge surface area, up to 30 times larger compared to a smooth surface. The moss surface is enormously absorbent due to the fine, thin leaflets. Many particles in the air (fine dust) have a negative electrical charge and are attracted and bound by the positively charged moss surface. Just like a microfiber cloth. Most of the “prey” is directly metabolized or indirectly broken down by microorganisms and then converted into harmless biomass.
HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE
Mosses have a huge surface area, up to 30 times larger compared to a smooth surface. The moss surface is enormously absorbent due to the fine, thin leaflets. Many particles in the air (fine dust) have a negative electrical charge and are attracted and bound by the positively charged moss surface. Just like a microfiber cloth. Most of the “prey” is directly metabolized or indirectly broken down by microorganisms and then converted into harmless biomass.
MASTER OF UTILIZATION
MASTER OF UTILIZATION
FAT PREY
DIGESTION
TOP UP
FAT PREY
DIGESTION
TOP UP
So fresh and so clean
Mosses take most of the water supply capillary through the narrow spaces between the dense shoots. A moss surface can therefore hold a great deal of water, much like a sponge. However, this also means that unlike vascular plants, mosses have little protection against water evaporation. This is how the enormous cooling capacity of this green all-rounder comes about.
Sidefact: Most mosses can survive in an almost completely desiccated condition. They awaken to new life when they are moistened again.
So fresh and so clean
COOL SPONGE
Mosses take most of the water supply capillary through the narrow spaces between the dense shoots. A moss surface can therefore hold a great deal of water, much like a sponge. However, this also means that unlike vascular plants, mosses have little protection against water evaporation. This is how the enormous cooling capacity of this green all-rounder comes about.
Sidefact: Most mosses can survive in an almost completely desiccated condition. They awaken to new life when they are moistened again.
Enormous taker qualities
DRY
MOIST
Enormous
taker qualities
DRIED OUT
MOISTENED
MOSS FARM
In nature, mosses need about 4 years to grow into a dense moss surface. Through a lot of experience, a special cultivation method and ideal supply conditions, the moss stalks in our moss farm have turned into a dense carpet in just 12 weeks and are ready for use in the city.
In nature, mosses need about 4 years to grow into a dense moss surface. Through a lot of experience, a special cultivation method and ideal supply conditions, the moss stalks in our moss farm have turned into a dense carpet in just 12 weeks and are ready for use in the city.
Dense and green in time lapse
Want to take a look inside our moss farm and learn more about the capabilities of our mosses? Join us for the next virtual moss farm tour. Our moss farmers will show you where our mosses thrive and why moss absolutely needs to be in the city to combat bad air and heating surfaces. Of course, there will be plenty of room for your questions.
Dense and green
in time lapse
Want to take a look inside our moss farm and learn more about the capabilities of our mosses? Join us for the next virtual moss farm tour. Our moss farmers will show you where our mosses thrive and why moss absolutely needs to be in the city to combat bad air and heating surfaces. Of course, there will be plenty of room for your questions.