Although not harmful, some homeowners may wish to limit or eliminate them. The 13,000 or more mosses constitute a large collection of lower plant life. About 50 mosses are commonly found in lawns. Mosses are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. Algae is a fresh water plant and is sometimes mistaken for moss when it is growing in moist areas under trees.
Mosses are small, leafy plants which look like a mass of fine stems.
A moss plant Infestations of moss are associated with low fertility, poor drainage, too much shade, soil compaction, wet conditions, poor air circulation, or a combination of these factors. The black, crusty layers found in some lawns are probably dead algae plants. Algae can appear in different colors, i.e., red, orange, green, or brown, before dying. Algae is most likely to occur in shaded, heavily compacted areas that are often wet for prolonged periods of time. The only permanent control of moss or algae is to correct the conditions unfavorable to grass growth.