Moss and Lichen

Moss and Lichen is a fascinating exploration of mosses and lichens, celebrating the extraordinary biology, beauty and resilience of these unassuming organisms. Endowed with unique superpowers, from enduring desiccation to thriving in extreme habitats, mosses and lichens defy easy categorisation. Mosses, integral to the plant kingdom, and lichens, a kingdom unto themselves, colonise a great variety of landscapes, from rainforests to deserts and urban pavements. Neglected in the past for their lack of flowers, these organisms now garner recognition for their significant role in maintaining the health of our world's ecosystem.

Elizabeth Lawson's book shows how they shape landscapes, prevent erosion and sequester carbon, and surveys the biologists, artists and writers who celebrate their importance. Moss and Lichen inspires a newfound appreciation for these unsung heroes of the natural world.

'Among the smallest terrestrial photosynthetic organisms, mosses and lichens play pivotal ecological roles. And yet they are often, if not typically, overlooked. Elizabeth Lawson’s book succeeds in elevating these diminutive creatures by drawing our attention to their charm and importance. Beautifully written and illustrated, Moss and Lichen should be read by anyone who loves nature and appreciates its manifold complexity and splendor.' – Karl J. Niklas, author of Plant Evolution: An Introduction to the History of Life

'Lawson takes us on an intriguing journey across time, from early interests in observing organisms that occupy the cracks and crevices of our world to the people who investigate and interpret their lives and relationships – all with beautiful illustrations of the organisms and their world.' – Pat Wolseley, Natural History Museum, London