Who loves a moss?
I do. Especially this one that looks like ectoplasm from the planet Zarg!
Mosses are ancient organisms which first appeared around 450 million years ago. They can survive in extreme conditions including hot deserts but are often found in damp and shady conditions forming spongy green mats.
But there’s one moss that’s captured my attention more than most – Sphagnum.
Perhaps it’s because I’ve done loads of wild, bog-hopping (or sinking!) walks and Sphagnum flourishes in these places. Or perhaps there’s another reason…
You normally find Sphagnum in low-lying landscapes near lakeshores, ponds, swamps and bogs. But this creates a problem for the moss – spore dispersal and reproduction.
A closer look shows how God designed it to survive in these challenging conditions…
In low-lying landscapes, the air velocity immediately above the ground is very low. So when Sphagnum releases its spores, you’d think they wouldn’t travel far or maybe just sink right where they are. However, the plant’s reproductive system is designed to propel the spores into a turbulent air layer higher up.
As water evaporates from the round spore capsule it becomes a narrow cylinder. Pressure builds as it changes shape, reduces in size and the air inside it compresses. The resultant pressure propels the spores high into the air for dispersal. And Sphagnum flourishes.
So next time you sink in a Sphagnum bog, as the water slowly seeps into your boots, remember just how impressive this plant is. And how awesome our Creator God is for designing Sphagnum exactly the way it is!