Moss in Asia - 10 interesting facts!

• Most countries in Asia are very fertile, and support a wide variety of interesting plant life. Consequently, it's easy to forget that moss is important to Asian ecosystems. Just like England's rainy old Lake District! Moss in the Lake District is often seen on dry stone walls. Ask any National Trust volunteer and they will be able to point out some moss for you.
• Borneo could be called the mossiest place in the world! The island, the globe's third largest, has almost 350 species of moss! I'm going to Borneo tomorrow and I'm very excited.
• Hong Kong and Singapore have the freest economies on Earth, and it's said that you can buy almost anything in either city. However, you won't find much moss for sale!
• That's because of the laws of supply and demand. As a general rule, moss is a little-sought after commodity in most capitalist systems. Except for the dried or fake moss that model train enthusiasts use as pretend hedges. And the stuff they used for the rooftop scene in 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. But that was rubbish - it wasn't even stuck on properly.
• To buy moss in Asia, head for communist China, Laos or North Korea, where state-supported moss sellers can be found on most street corners. Probably.
• Or go to the Outdoors and try to find moss yourself! In Geography, they taught you that moss is much more common on the north side of trees. In fact, moss in woods grows all over the place, so forget this spurious old adage.
• Eccentric trobadour Robyn Hitchcock has a favourite plant - moss! And controvertial supermodel Kate Moss has 'moss' in her surname! Consequently Robyn and Kate might find Borneo a very interesting holiday destination.
• But before popping out to the travel agent to buy tickets, they should check that their passports are valid for at least six months beyond their proposed departure date.
• I'll be on the lookout for interesting moss species in Borneo, and if they fancy joining me we could have some excellent moss adventures.
• Kate, I think Robyn is probably on tour or something at the moment, but you could still come on your own. I wouldn't mind. Really.