Learning the language of moss
Learning the language of...
Sphagnum papillosum
Perhaps the backbone species of bogs in Ireland.
Habitat
This moss is a specialist species that prefers wet, acidic habitats like raised bogs and moorland. It’s a true peat-former, and its presence often signals good quality, undisturbed bog. In drier or degraded areas, it tends to be replaced by more generalist species like Sphagnum palustre.
How to recognise
This moss forms dense, compact cushions that can be surprisingly firm to the touch. When well-grown, its orange-brown tones often show up in the mid-stem branches. The spreading branches are short and stubby, and there are usually just one or two pendant branches. The name “papillosum” refers to the tiny papillae (bumps) on its leaf cells, visible only under high magnification. It’s an important species for locking away carbon.