ABOUT THIS BOOK

A fascinating guide to the natural and cultural significance of mosses and lichens.

Moss and Lichen is a celebration of the extraordinary biology, beauty, and resilience of two unassuming organisms. Endowed with unique abilities to thrive in extreme habitats, mosses and lichens defy easy categorization. Mosses, which are integral to the plant kingdom, and lichens, which are a kingdom unto themselves, colonize a variety of landscapes from rainforests to deserts to urban streets. Long neglected for lacking flowers, these organisms are now beloved for their significant role in maintaining the health of our world’s ecosystem.

Elizabeth Lawson describes how mosses and lichens shape landscapes, prevent erosion, and sequester carbon, but she also offers a wide-ranging introduction to the biologists, artists, and writers inspired by their beauty. Moss and Lichen will inspire a newfound appreciation for these unsung heroes of the natural world.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Elizabeth Lawson is a naturalist, writer, and former president of the American Primrose Society. Her books include Primrose, also in Reaktion Books’ Botanical series.

REVIEWS

"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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction: The Cryptogamic Carpet one Curious Vegetation two Moss: Versatile Minimalist three Lichen: Complex Individuality four Moss and Lichen: Cosmopolitan Extremophiles five Bogland six Moss and Lichen: Literary Ecology seven Curious Observers eight #moss#lichen Timeline References Further Reading Associations and Websites Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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