Oakmoss: the flamboyant, fluffy lichen transforming the winter landscape

Species has made a dramatic return to areas of Europe where it had almost completely disappearedIn an otherwise thoroughly wintry landscape, oakmoss, Evernia prunastri, transforms dark thickets of bushes and trees with its almost white, flamboyant and fluffy appearance.Although favouring oak trees the lichen grows on other woody stems. This particular species has made a sudden and dramatic return to areas of Britain and other parts of Europe from where it had almost completely disappeared. It had died out since the Industrial Revolution because the plant could not cope with the sulphur dioxide emissions caused by coal-fired power stations. Continue reading...