Sphagnum
Sphagnum is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as "peat moss". Accumulations of Sphagnum can store water, since both living and dead plants can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; plants may hold 16 to 26 times as much water a…
Svalbard
Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. Situated north of mainland Europe, it is about midway between continental Norway and the North Pole. The islands of the group range from 74° to 81° north latitude, and from 10° to 35° east longitude. The largest island is Spitsbergen, …
What plants grow in sphagnum moss?
- Water Succulents: These plants are very commonly paired with sphagnum moss. ...
- Orchids: This plant has a unique but satisfying quality of not needing too much attention. ...
- Carnivorous plants: These house plants perform best in a sphagnum or peat moss mixed with sand. ...
Are sphagnum moss spores dangerous?
Sphagnum moss is an excellent growing medium for trees with weak roots and yamadori/collected trees but it also has been associated with a potentially lethal fungal infection. ... cases per million people. An estimated 200-250 cases occur per year. Statistically speaking, it is more dangerous to cross the road.
What does sphagnum moss mean?
What Does Sphagnum Moss Mean? Sphagnum is a genus of around 300 mosses commonly known as peat moss because of its prevalence in peat bogs and mires. Mosses that belong to the sphagnum genus are known for their high water retention potential, with some species being able to hold up to 20 times their dry weight in water.
How to make Sphagnum peat moss?
Procedure:
- Find a clump of live sphagnum moss in your garden.
- Trim the top 3 inches of the sphagnum moss clump. This part is the most productive part of the sphagnum moss and it yields better results.
- Pull the clump apart into small pieces of approximately 1 inch in diameter.
- Find a shady area where you can put your potting container. ...
How do I know if I have sphagnum moss?
- Plants are all or mostly dark wine-red except if shaded, when they are green. - Larger than most species, with very long narrow leaves, looking 'feathery' when floating. - Messy-looking (like matted wet fur) when lifted out of water. - Usually green, sometimes with mustard colours.
Does sphagnum moss grow in the USA?
In the majority of Northern Hemisphere peatlands, Sphagnum is the primary peat forming moss species and its growth covers vast swathes of North America, northern Europe and Russia.
Where is moss most commonly found?
Mosses are distributed throughout the world except in salt water and are commonly found in moist shady locations. They are best known for those species that carpet woodland and forest floors. Ecologically, mosses break down exposed substrata, releasing nutrients for the use of more-complex plants that succeed them.
Does sphagnum moss grow wild?
There are around 380 recognized species of Sphagnum, mainly found in cool and moist places in the Northern Hemisphere. They are often the dominant species in open bogs, marshes, fens, and moors but can also inhabit forested areas, creeping ever outward like a lush carpet.
Is sphagnum moss rare?
Globally, Sphagnum mosses are most abundant in the northern half of the Northern hemisphere, and with 100-300 known species (depending on the taxonomy used) – so you really get a picture for just how high the Sphagnum diversity of the Highlands is!
Is dried sphagnum moss still alive?
Dried moss is at the dormant state and will lose its green color over time. However, when rehydrated it will return to life and start growing again. Preserved moss is no longer alive and has been chemically treated to maintain its feel and allure.
What is the most common moss in the world?
Swan's-neck thyme moss (Mnium hornum) This is one of the most common mosses and is especially abundant in woodland. It can be found in clumps up to 4cm-tall growing on tree bases, rotting wood, peat and rock ledges in acidic conditions.
Is there Poisonous moss?
Oak Moss. Beware that this type of moss can be toxic if eaten raw and should always be boiled numerous times with several cleanouts in between before attempting to eat. Oak Moss has a rather stringy appearance and can be found growing primarily on oak trees, although it does grow on other surfaces as well.
Are there different types of sphagnum moss?
Sphagnum palustreSphagnum magellanic...Sphagnum capillifoliumSphagnum fuscumSphagnum girgensohniiSphagnum mossPeat moss/Lower classifications
Can I collect my own sphagnum moss?
Moss can be scooped with bare hands, or with a trowel, or a flat kitchen flipper tool, and gloves. Use a basket or other container to carry the collected Moss. The ideal time to collect moss is when it is moist. Pick up a patch of moss that doesn't have too much grass or other plants.
Can I pick sphagnum moss?
You'll need permission from the landowner and the right to collect and take home materials. Many areas also have specialized forest product harvesting laws that include moss collection.
Why is sphagnum moss so expensive?
Sphagnum moss can be expensive due to its slow production rate and limited number of sustainable options.
Where does moss grow best in the US?
Moss grows best in damp and shady environments, so anywhere on your lawn that gets less sun and too much moisture can grow moss. Lawns in damper climes are significantly more prone to growing moss, wreaking havoc on the yards of homeowners.
Does sphagnum moss grow in New York?
There are a reportedly 380 species in this genus, which is commonly known as peat moss. Andrus' 1980 catalogue of sphagnum species within New York State, revised in 1994, lists a total of fifty species in New York State, including 39 in the Adirondacks.
Where does peat moss come from in the US?
Virtually all of the peat moss sold in the United States comes from the vast sphagnum moss bogs of Canada. Often mixed with a mineral named perlite, it is highly valued by horticulturists for its ability to retain moisture and oxygen without becoming waterlogged or heavy.
Is moss native to North America?
1. American Tree Moss. This moss is native to North America and can be found growing widely across the eastern US and eastern Canada.
Where is sphagnum moss collected?
Sphagnum moss is collected from still-living moss on the surface of bogs and wetlands. These chunks of living plant material are dried after harvesting, making the final product a pure chunk of the sphagnum moss, not a combination of other dried material.
What is Sphagnum Moss?
The phrase “sphagnum moss” actually refers to a large genus of moss with some 380 members. Most sphagnum moss you would find in your local store is harvested from wetlands or bogs found in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is the best soil amendment for a garden?
For general soil amendment, peat moss is the best choice. It can easily be found in larger bags and is less expensive. Besides being more cost-effective, the wide range of decayed matter in peat moss makes it a great soil amender for both potted plants and the garden. Mixing it with sandy soil will help hold onto needed moisture ...
What is the difference between peat moss and sphagnum moss?
In addition, keep in mind that peat moss has a very acidic pH level while sphagnum moss has a neutral pH level. The pH level of your plants and soil will play an important role ...
How long does it take for sphagnum moss to grow?
Peat moss can take centuries or more to develop and be ready to harvest, whereas sphagnum moss is ready to harvest in under a decade. When sourcing your sphagnum moss it is still recommended to look for a reputable and sustainable supplier.
Where is peat moss found?
In fact, the peat moss found at the bottom of bogs can be thousands of years old!
Does sphagnum moss absorb moisture?
Sphagnum moss can vary significantly in its ability to absorb moisture, the quality and length of the fibers, and its appearance. Take the time to research suppliers with good reputations.
What is the name of the crustacean that stores water?
For a genus of crustaceans, see Sphaeromatidae. Isocladus Lindb. Sphagnum is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as " peat moss ", although that term is also sometimes used for peat. Accumulations of Sphagnum can store water, since both living and dead plants can hold large quantities of water inside their cells;
How deep can peat be?
Under the right conditions, peat can accumulate to a depth of many meters. Different species of Sphagnum have different tolerance limits for flooding and pH, so any one peatland may have a number of different Sphagnum species.
How much water does a sphagnum hold?
Accumulations of Sphagnum can store water, since both living and dead plants can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; plants may hold 16 to 26 times as much water as their dry ...
Why does sphagnum not decay?
Sphagnum and the peat formed from it do not decay readily because of the phenolic compounds embedded in the moss's cell walls. In addition, bogs, like all wetlands, develop anaerobic soil conditions, which produces slower anaerobic decay rather than aerobic microbial action.
How do mosses keep their habitat watery?
Thus tissues are thin and usually one cell thick to allow these to diffuse easily. Sphagnum mosses have two distinct cell types. There are normal photosynthesising cells with chlorophyll. Additionally there are larger Aline or retort cells. These are barrel shaped. They have pores and soak up water like a sponge. These unique cells mean Sphagnum can keep the habitat watery by releasing water to keep bogs waterlogged. Walker (2019) describes Sphagnum thus as 'habitat manipulators'.
What is a sphagnum spore?
The sporophyte is relatively short-lived, and consists almost entirely of a shiny green, spherical spore capsule that becomes black with spores. Sporophytes are raised on stalks to facilitate spore dispersal, but unlike other mosses, Sphagnum stalks are produced by the maternal gametophyte.
What is the top of a sphagnum plant?
The water supports Sphagnum plants, making other strengthening structures unnecessary. The top of the plant is called the capitulum, a rosette of leaves which gather the majority of the plant's energy through photosynthesis.
Sphagnum Moss Lifecycle
Instead of flowers and seeds, sphagnum mosses reproduce sexually via male and female organs that may be monoecious (on the same plant) or dioecious (on different plants), depending on the species.
Popular Sphagnum Varieties
A robust and easygoing species, Prairie Sphagnum (also known as blunt-leaved bogmoss) is found in all continents except Antarctica, often favoring woody swamps and marshy meadows.
Where to Buy Live Sphagnum Moss?
You’re not likely to find living sphagnum moss at the garden store, but a few specialty retailers and hobbyists sell and ship live cultures online:
Sphagnum Moss Growing Conditions
To successfully cultivate sphagnum moss, disregard almost everything you know about raising land plants. Sphagnums operate on a whole other level, where humidity and moisture are the most important elements for its survival.
How to Grow Sphagnum Moss
It’s much easier to manage moisture, humidity, and light levels when growing sphagnum moss in a controlled indoor environment.
How to Harvest Sphagnum Moss
When sphagnum moss is kept warm and moist, it will fill in in around 2 to 3 months.
7 Ways to Use Sphagnum Moss
There’s numerous ways to put your sphagnum moss harvests to good use in the indoor and outdoor garden.
What happens when peat moss is hardened?
If peat moss is covered with thick sediments and is not disturbed for millions of years the moisture is squeezed out and the peat gets hard. The hardened peat changes into lignite, which is the softest form of coal.
Why is peat moss important?
Peat moss is an important plant in agriculture. It's often added to soil to help hold moisture around plants. Peat moss is also important in nature, without it there would be no bogs or coal.
How does peat moss reproduce?
Peat moss can reproduce in two ways. It reproduces by forming capsules filled with spores. In dry conditions these capsules burst and the spores are spread. New plants can grow from the spread spores. Peat moss can also reproduce by growing from broken off pieces of bigger plants.
How cold does taiga get?
In the summer the low is 20° F and the high is 70° F. For six months of the year the taiga is below freezing. The average rainfall in the taiga is 12-33 inches a year. Peat moss grows in wet swampy bogs. It likes cold temperatures, even below freezing. Peat moss can grow up to 50 centimeters tall.
How tall does peat moss grow?
Peat moss can grow up to 50 centimeters tall. Peat moss grows the most during summer months. It grows close together and forms a thick mat. Its leaves are spear or cup shaped some are thick and swollen with water others are thinner. Leaves can be clear, green, reddish, or yellowish.
What is the most common coal in the United States?
Bituminous coal is soft and black it is the most common coal in the United States of America. After even more time being pressed down by sentiments the bituminous coal changes into anthracite. Anthracite is really hard and gives off very little smoke when it is burned.
What is the longitude of Taiga?
The taiga spans from a latitude of 58° to 63° North. Its longitude is 50° to 160° West. The taiga has a winter that is 7-8 months long and a summer that is 2-3 months long. During the winter temperatures range from -65° F to 30° F. In the summer the low is 20° F and the high is 70° F.
How does sphagnum help plants?
Sphagnum helps you take the guesswork out of watering your garden plants by absorbing up to 18 times its weight in water. Sphagnum provides water to the roots according to the plant's needs, while allowing for optimum oxygenation so that the roots can uptake vital micronutrients.
What is sphagnum moss?
Sphagnum Moss. SuperMoss Orchid and Nursery Sphagnum Moss is a premium grade, long fiber, and long-lasting sphagnum. Its long fibers and superior water retention properties make it ideal for lining hanging baskets and using as soil cover in window boxes and house plants. Sphagnum helps you take the guesswork out of watering your garden plants by ...
What is Supermoss Orchid?
SuperMoss Orchid and Nursery Sphagnum Moss is a premium grade, long fiber, and long-lasting sphagnum. Its long fibers and superior water retention properties make it ideal for lining hanging baskets and using as soil cover in window boxes and house plants.
Overview
Geographic distribution
Sphagnum mosses occur mainly in the Northern Hemisphere in peat bogs, conifer forests, and moist tundra areas. Their northernmost populations lie in the archipelago of Svalbard, Arctic Norway, at 81° N.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the largest peat areas are in southern Chile and Argentina, part of the vast Magellanic moorland (circa 44,000 square km; 17,00…
Sphagnum structure
Sphagnum have a distinct structure adapted to the watery habitats they live in. The water supports Sphagnum plants, making other strengthening structures unnecessary. The top of the plant is called the capitulum, a rosette of leaves which gather the majority of the plant's energy through photosynthesis. The main body consists of a stem and branches, with leaves also protruding from both the stem and the branches. The lowermost parts of the plant are dead but …
Cellular structure
Sphagnum has a distinctive cellular structure. Mosses have no vascular system to move water and nutrients around the plant. Thus tissues are thin and usually one cell thick to allow these to diffuse easily. Sphagnum mosses have two distinct cell types. There are normal photosynthesising cells with chlorophyll. Additionally there are larger Aline or retort cells. These are barrel shaped. The…
Lifecycle
Sphagnum, like all other land plants, has an alternation of generations; like other bryophytes, the haploid gametophyte generation is dominant and persistent. Unlike other mosses, the long-lived gametophytes do not rely upon rhizoids to assist in water uptake.
Sphagnum species can be unisexual (male or female, dioecious) or bisexual (male and female gametes produced from the same plant; monoecious); In North America, 80% of Sphagnum spec…
Taxonomy and phylogeny
Peat moss can be distinguished from other moss species by its unique branch clusters. The plant and stem color, the shape of the branch and stem leaves, and the shape of the green cells are all characteristics used to identify peat moss to species. Sphagnum taxonomy has been very contentious since the early 1900s; most species require microscopic dissection to be identified. In t…
Spore dispersal
As with many other mosses, Sphagnum species disperse spores through the wind. The tops of spore capsules are only about 1 cm (1⁄2") above ground, and where wind is weak. As the spherical spore capsule dries, the operculum is forced off, followed by a cloud of spores. The exact mechanism has traditionally attributed to a "pop gun" method using air compressed in the capsule, reaching a maximum velocity of 3.6 meters (12') per second, but alternative mechanis…
Uses
Decayed, dried sphagnum moss has the name of peat or peat moss. This is used as a soil conditioner which increases the soil's capacity to hold water and nutrients by increasing capillary forces and cation exchange capacity – uses that are particularly useful in gardening. This is often desired when dealing with very sandy soil, or plants that need increased or steady moisture content to flourish…