Sphagnum Moss

Name: Sphagnum Moss

Scientific name: Sphagnum spp.

Category: Moss and Lichen

Nature Stars: 30

What are nature stars?

About: The amazingly multi-coloured living carpets of moss found in wet places like peat bogs, marshland, heath and moorland. When seen up close they are very beautiful. Sphagnum mosses help to create peat bogs by holding water.

How to identify: There are at least ten species of Sphagnum Moss in the UK, which are very difficult to tell apart.

Where: Widespread.

Fantastic fact: Peat is largely made of Sphagnum, which has rotted down and compressed over hundreds of years.

Photograph credit: dogtooth77