Bryophytes are small inconspicuous plants of hidden but amazing beauty and with unique life history traits that differ from all other terrestrial plants on earth. Evolving from aquatic ancestors they share with vascular plants, bryophytes conquered life on land and radiated into a diverse group of around 20,000 species worldwide. Despite this highly successful performance, in an evolutionary perspective, and being exposed to similar risks for extinction caused by human impact as iconic mammals, birds and orchids, they hardly ever receive the attention they deserve, neither for their appeal nor for their survival.