Mosses and fungi are often confused with each other; however, moss is not a fungus. It is a plant, part of the bryophyte family, and therefore significantly different to fungi. This article will explain the key differences between mosses and fungi.
What is the difference between fungus and moss?
Like mosses, fungi can be found in many diverse environments and habitats ranging from frozen arctic tundras, tropical rainforests, oceans, lakes and rivers. Their size can vastly differ, ranging from microscopic to sometimes over an incredible thousand acres.
Similar to mosses, there are also many species of fungi on our planet. Mycologists (these are scientists who especially study fungi) have determined that over a million species of fungi exist, although they have only identified 5% of these species so far. Fungi are composed of hyphae – which are small, white threads that envelop things that act as food for the fungus. Hyphae which grow together in a large group is called a mycelium. Fungi reproduces by generating spores that travel through water or air. These spores are often present on the ends of hyphae, or in some cases they may latch onto fruiting bodies, such as a mushroom.
Fungi plays an important role in the ecosystem as they break down dead or decaying organisms. They aid decomposition and recycling of dead matter, which is a crucial function.
Some species of fungi absorb nutrients by secreting enzymes to break down organic matter - making them saprophytic. Other species are more parasitic by nature, meaning they gather their nutrients through living hosts - such as trees or even human feet.
Unlike fungi, mosses are plants. They don’t share the vast size range, either, usually ranging from 1 to 10 cm. What’s more, they don’t have flowers or seeds like fungi. Instead they reproduce by producing spores.
Mosses don’t have roots either. They are a non-vascular species of the bryophyte family, and survive by utilising their natural absorptive abilities. They gather nutrients and water through their leaves. Since mosses are a rootless species, they thrive best in damp or moist environments from where they can draw their nutrients. Although this doesn’t mean they are restricted to a particularly damp habitat. Like fungi, moss can survive in a diverse range of environments including dry alpine climates and even sand dunes. Moss also has the ability to dry out and become dormant for many months on end, but can regenerate as soon as it comes back into contact with moisture, making the species incredibly resilient.
Is moss a bacteria?
No, moss isn’t a bacteria. They also aren’t fungi or protists. Bacteria fall within the prokaryotic domain, fungi is a different kingdom from plantae, and a protist isn’t a plant but is instead classed as a eukaryotic organism. Mosses, on the other hand, fall within the plantae kingdom, which is part of the eukaryotic domain. This means moss isn’t a bacteria, fungus or protists.
Is moss a form of mold?
They might look similar in appearance, but moss and mold actually come from different biological kingdoms.
Moss is a non-vascular, rootless plant that converts sunlight, through the process of photosynthesis, and absorbs minerals from the soil to survive, grow and reproduce. Mold, on the other hand, is a fungus. It is distantly related to the mushroom family, but it is classed as neither plant nor animal. In contrast to moss, mold doesn’t need sunlight in order to survive. Instead it feeds off decaying organic matter, converting it into energy that then helps it reproduce and grow.
Moss plays many important ecological roles, as does mold - namely aiding the decomposition process of dead plants and animals. Mold tends to reproduce when its spores latch onto organic materials, or in environments with warm temperatures, and high levels of moisture or humidity. You may find mold appearing in green, grey or black patches on the plants in your garden, food products that are past their use-by date, and walls and floors susceptible to moisture. You can usually identify mold by appearance, although it also has a distinct musty odor. Not all species of mold are toxic, but there are some that can be harmful if ingested or inhaled by humans. This leads us nicely onto our next question on whether moss possesses similar harmful properties to people as certain species of mold does.
They might look similar in appearance, but moss and mold actually come from different biological kingdoms.
Is moss harmful to humans?
Moss isn’t harmful to humans. Although people may mistake it for mold or a form of bacteria, it doesn’t possess any toxins, fumes, dangerous spores, poisons or irritants. Mosses are very light, even when they grow and spread in great mats. So when they grow on structures, the moss itself doesn’t pose a physical threat to the structure. The threat lies in moss’s ability to retain moisture. As an example, if moss has grown and spread on your roof, then the moisture it contains could potentially cause damage to the roof shingles by creating mold that leads to rotting.
Take a look at this blog on how moss causes damp on roofs and how to deal with the issue.
