A bryophilous lichen is one that grows on a bryophyte – that is, on a moss or liverwort. [1] Those which grow on mosses are known as muscicolous lichens, [2] while those which grow on liverworts are called hepaticolous lichens. [3] Muscicolous derives from the Latin muscus meaning moss, [4] while the suffix colous means "living or growing in or on". [5] Lichens are slow-growing organisms, and so are far more likely to be overgrown by a bryophyte than to overgrow one. [6] [7] However, they are better able to compete if the bryophyte is sickly or decaying and they can be parasitic upon them. [1] [8] [9] Some, rather than overgrowing the bryophyte, instead live among its branches. [9] Bryophilous lichens are particularly common in heathland and arctic or alpine tundra. [9] Because many are small and inconspicuous, they are easy to overlook. [1]
A bryophilous lichen is one that grows on a bryophyte – that is, on a moss or liverwort. [1] Those which grow on mosses are known as muscicolous lichens, [2] while those which grow on liverworts are called hepaticolous lichens. [3] Muscicolous derives from the Latin muscus meaning moss, [4] while the suffix colous means "living or growing in or on". [5] Lichens are slow-growing organisms, and so are far more likely to be overgrown by a bryophyte than to overgrow one. [6] [7] However, they are better able to compete if the bryophyte is sickly or decaying and they can be parasitic upon them. [1] [8] [9] Some, rather than overgrowing the bryophyte, instead live among its branches. [9] Bryophilous lichens are particularly common in heathland and arctic or alpine tundra. [9] Because many are small and inconspicuous, they are easy to overlook. [1]