Common Mosses, Liverworts, and Lichens of Ohio: A Visual Guide

This engaging illustrated guidebook reveals the fascinating mosses and lichens that homeowners, outdoorspeople, and nature lovers encounter every day in Ohio and the Midwest.

In this guide to the most common and distinctive moss, liverwort, and lichen species in Ohio, readers will find concise physical descriptions, natural history and ecology facts, and tips to distinguish look-alike species, all presented in a friendly, conversational tone.

Featuring detailed photographs of the plant and plant-like species in their natural settings, the book covers 114 mosses, twenty-one liverworts, and seventy lichens and offers several avenues to match a specimen to its description page. Each group includes "Where They Grow" chapters that spotlight the common species encountered on field outings, and simple guidance questions help readers quickly identify unfamiliar samples.

While designed primarily as an identification tool, this guide also frames moss and lichen spotting in a scientific context. The two main sections--bryophytes and lichens--detail their respective taxonomic kingdoms, explain their life cycles and means of reproduction, and illustrate variation in the traits used for identification. The book is an introduction to the biology of these intriguing but too-often-overlooked organisms and a means to enjoy, identify, and catalog the biodiversity all around us.