Sydney Olympic Park Sydney Olympic Park

The wonderful world beneath our feet

Lichens, slime moulds, liverworts and mosses.

When walking through Sydney Olympic Park, it is easy to notice the towering eucalypts, colourful wildflowers and abundant birdlife. However, some of nature’s most fascinating organisms are much smaller and often overlooked.

Lichens, slime moulds, liverworts and mosses thrive in damp, sheltered places throughout the Park. Together, they form miniature worlds that help keep ecosystems healthy and functioning.

Lichens

Lichens are remarkable partnerships between fungi and algae. They grow on rocks, tree trunks and even old fence posts, creating a mosaic of colour. Because they are sensitive to pollution, lichens can be useful indicators of environmental health.

  • A pale grey, leafy shadow greenshield lichen spreads across the rough bark of a weathered tree branch in close-up detail.
    Shadow Greenshield Lichen (Flavoparmelia soredians)
  • A bright green mound of common coral lichen grows on damp soil among fallen leaves and small plants on a forest floor.
    Common Coral-Lichen (Cladia aggregate)
  • A close-up of common sunburst lichen forms bright yellow-orange clusters covering a sunlit tree branch against a softly blurred background.
    Common Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria parietina)
  • A close-up of gritty British soldiers lichen shows clusters of tiny red-tipped stalks growing densely across a weathered surface with a softly blurred background.
    Gritty British Soldiers Lichen (Cladonia floerkeana)
  • A pale green bristly beard lichen hangs in tangled strands from thin shrub branches amid dense wetland vegetation.
    Bristly Beard Lichen (Usnea hirta) – (c) Phil Mulhearn

Slime moulds

Slime moulds may look like tiny blobs of jelly or colourful foam, but they are neither plants nor fungi. These curious organisms move slowly across decaying leaves and logs, feeding on microscopic organisms. Their unusual shapes and bright colours make them a favourite discovery for keen nature observers.

  • A close-up of white carnival candy slime mould forms dense clusters of tiny branching structures across damp leaf litter and wood chips on the forest floor.
    White Carnival Candy Slime Mould (Arcyria cinerea)
  • A close-up of chocolate tube slime mould shows dense clusters of slender brown tendrils emerging from decaying wood, highlighting their intricate texture and form.
    Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis splendens)

Liverworts

Liverworts are among the oldest land plants on Earth. Often found in moist, shaded areas, they form delicate green mats on soil, rocks and fallen timber. Despite their small size, liverworts help retain moisture and provide habitat for tiny invertebrates.

  • A cluster of tiny licorice strap liverwort sporophytes with slender dark stems and brown cone-shaped capsules rises from a mossy forest floor in soft natural light.
    Licorice Strap Liverwort (Asterella drummondii)

Mosses

Mosses are perhaps the most familiar of these miniature marvels. Their soft green cushions can be found on rocks, tree bases and damp ground. Like liverworts, mosses help reduce soil erosion, hold water in the landscape and create shelter for a variety of small creatures.

  • A dense carpet of pale green milk moss covers the forest floor, with star-shaped shoots emerging among twigs, leaf litter and low vegetation.
    Milk Moss (Leucobryum javense)
  • A patch of heath star moss and common coral lichen grows together on the forest floor, creating a textured mix of dark green cushions and pale green branching forms among leaf litter.
    Heath Star Moss (Campylopus introflexus; centre, top and right) amongst ground dwelling lichen species Heterodea muelleri (left), Common Coral-Lichen (Cladia aggregata) (bottom)

Next time you explore Sydney Olympic Park, take a closer look at the ground, fallen logs and shaded corners of the landscape. You may discover an entire hidden world of lichens, slime moulds, liverworts and mosses quietly working to support the ecosystems around us.

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