绿苔 (lǜtái): green moss

Meanings

Shíjiē shàng zhǎng mǎn le lǜtái.

The stone steps were covered in green moss.

Chítáng biǎomiàn fú zhe yī céng lǜtái.

A layer of green algae floated on the surface of the pond.

usage

Covers both moss on damp stones and algae on water surfaces — the technical split (苔藓 for moss, 藻类 for algae) is only made when precision is needed.

绿 lǜ

苔 tái