Mosses and Lichens
About New Zealand Native Mosses & Lichens
New Zealand’s native mosses and lichens are essential components of forest, wetland, and alpine ecosystems. Mosses help retain moisture, build soil, and provide microhabitats for invertebrates, while lichens are important pioneers on rocks and tree trunks, contributing to nutrient cycling and air quality. These organisms are highly diverse, with many species unique to New Zealand. They play a vital role in ecosystem health and are increasingly appreciated for their beauty and resilience in gardens and natural landscapes.
Mosses (bryophytes) are small, non-vascular plants that typically form dense green mats or cushions in moist environments. Lichens, on the other hand, are composite organisms that arise from a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. Both play crucial roles in ecosystem processes including water filtration, soil formation, and providing microhabitats for invertebrates.
In New Zealand's damp, temperate climate, mosses and lichens thrive, creating magical forest floors, draping from trees in rain-soaked areas, and colonizing rocks and exposed surfaces. These ancient life forms represent some of the oldest plant lineages on Earth and contribute significantly to the primeval character of New Zealand's native forests.
Carpet Moss
Hypnum cupressiforme
Common forest floor moss forming extensive carpets in damp, shaded areas of native forests.
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Star Moss
Dicranoloma billardierei
Distinctive star-shaped moss found on forest floors and rotting logs, common in damp native forests.
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Old Man's Beard Lichen
Usnea articulata
Pendant lichen that hangs from tree branches in humid forests, an indicator of good air quality.
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