I picked up some moss during a recent hike. Moss is beautiful enough on its own: the soft texture, the gentle green color, and the individual tufts that look like miniature trees. But there is something special about looking at moss under a Foldscope 2.0! Read on to find out what I saw!

Figure 1. Picture of a piece of moss (Plagiomnium insigne)

(Photo Credit: Holly A. Stuart)

What is moss?

Mosses are ancient non-flowering plants that attach to surfaces through a network of rhizomes. They do not have true leaves, stems, or roots because they do not have a vascular system. However, mosses are producers and are able to photosynthesize. The structures responsible for photosynthesis can be seen in their leaves, which I mounted on glass slides.

Figure 2. Picture of the moss samples on glass slides

(Photo Credit: Holly A. Stuart)

Why is moss green?

The cells of the moss leaf are clearly defined by thick cell walls. Inside of the cells you can see that the green color of the leaves is contained in what look like little packets. These are the chloroplasts, where photosynthesis takes place.

Figure 3. Picture of the moss viewed under a Foldscope 2.0 at 140X magnification plus 5X zoom on phone

(Photo Credit: Holly A. Stuart)

What is a chloroplast?

Chloroplasts are oval shaped structures that have a green pigment called chlorophyll inside of them. It is interesting that the bright green color of mosses is contained in discrete packages, not spread evenly throughout the leaf.

Figure 4. Picture of the moss viewed under a Foldscope 2.0 at 340X magnification plus 5X zoom on phone

(Photo Credit: Holly A. Stuart)

You can learn so much more about things found in nature when you slow down and take a close look. The tiny structures hiding within larger objects have a huge influence on what we are able to see on the macroscopic scale. I know that I always gain a new appreciation for the natural world when I peer into the microscopic world.

Figure 5. Picture of the edge of a moss leaf viewed under a Foldscope 2.0 at 140X magnification plus 5X zoom on phone

(Photo Credit: Holly A. Stuart)

Have you looked at moss under a Foldscope 2.0? Use your Foldscope to dive into the microscopic world and find the beauty that is there waiting for you. Share your microscopic images and thoughts on the Microcosmos. Be sure to tag us on social media when you post the results of your explorations, creations, and discoveries! We love to see how Foldscopers around the world are using their Foldscopes in new and innovative ways!

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Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/plant/moss-plant

https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/moss/275948

https://www.britannica.com/science/chloroplast