Learning the language of moss
Learning the language of...
Sphagnum palustre
A luscious sphagnum that isn't that much of a bog-former.
Habitat
Unlike the more bog-bound Sphagnum papillosum, palustre is a generalist peat moss. It thrives in wet woodlands, ditches, marshland, and degraded bogs. It is often one of the first Sphagnum species to recolonise disturbed sites, making it a useful indicator of early recovery in wetland restoration.
How to recognise
Palustre forms loose, sprawling carpets rather than tight hummocks. Its stems are pale green to yellowish-brown, and the branch leaves are broad and concave, giving the tips a hooded appearance. You’ll usually find 4–6 branches per fascicle, which helps distinguish it from S. papillosum, which tends to have fewer. It is less important in bog formation that S.capillifolium or S. papillosum.