News Plants

The fastest-evolving moss in the world may not adapt to climate change

The hardy genus Takakia has survived 400 million years but is losing ground in the Himalayas

A photo of green moss.

The moss genus Takakia (shown) is not like other mosses. This tiny, feathery plant is around 390 million years old, and can survive on the Tibetan Plateau, more than 4,000 meters above sea level.

Stu Crawford/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

By Bethany Brookshire

- More than 2 years ago

The world’s oldest moss has seen four mass extinctions — but may not survive climate change.