Its aim was to provide communication between those interested in bryophytes so they could build up collections of correctly identified specimens.
[4] Many of the first members had expert knowledge and interest in bryology but relied on employment from other areas to make a living.
However, members included beginners wanting to learn about bryology, and a section to help them was formed in 1900.
Post-war, there were many academic members and also more from outside the UK, in part due to the development of bryology as a subject for study at university.
In 1934 members joined from outside the British Isles including Pierre Allorge, Edwin B. Bartram, Alexander W. Evans, Leopold Loeske and N. Malta.
In September 1945 the Society celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Moss Club with a field visit and dinner.
Field meetings and workshops are held by the Society that allow training in identification skills.
Census Catalogues, of the distribution of bryophytes in the British Isles by vice-county were compiled by the Moss Exchange Club.
The Society has adopted the BSBI code of conduct for picking, collecting, photographing and enjoying wild bryophytes.