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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Peat moss
| image = SphagnumFallax.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = a clump of ''Sphagnum'', peat moss
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Bryophyta]]
| classis = [[Moss|Bryopsida]]
| subclassis = '''Sphagnidae'''
| ordo = '''Sphagnales'''
| familia = '''Sphagnaceae'''
| genus = '''''Sphagnum'''''
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
''[[Sphagnum affine]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum apiculatum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum auriculatum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum balticum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum capillifolium]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum compactum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum cuspidatum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum cymbifolium]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum fallax]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum fuscum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum girgensohnii]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum magellanicum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum majus]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum molle]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum palustre]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum papillosum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum platyphyllum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum riparium]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum rubellum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum russowii]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum squarrosum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum subnitens]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum subsecundum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum warnstorfii]]''<br>
and many more
}}
'''''Sphagnum''''' is [[genus]] of between 150-350 species of [[moss]]es commonly called '''peat moss''', due to its prevalence in [[peat]] [[Peat bog|bog]]s. Members of this genus can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; some species can hold up to 20 times their dry weight in water, which is why peat moss is commonly sold as a [[soil]] amendment. Sphagnum and the peat formed from it do not decay readily because of the [[phenolic]] compounds embedded in the moss's cell walls. Peat moss can also [[acid]]ify its surroundings by taking up [[cations]] such as [[calcium]] and [[magnesium]] and releasing [[hydrogen]] ions.
[[Image:Torfmoospolster Sonnentau.jpg|thumb|left|[[Drosera rotundifolia|Common sundew]] in a ''Sphagnum'' moss cushion]]
Individual peat moss plants consist of a main stem, with tightly arranged clusters of branch fascicles usually consisting of two or three spreading branches and two to four hanging branches. The branches are covered by [[wiktionary:ovate|ovate]] to [[wiktionary:lanceolate|lanceolate]] [[Leaf|leaves]] called [[branch leaves]]. The top of the plant, or capitulum, has compact clusters of young branches. Along the stem are scattered leaves of various shape, named [[stem leaves]]; the shape varies according to species. The leaves consist of two kinds of cell; small, green, living cells (chlorophyllose cells), and large, clear, structural, dead cells (hyaline cells). The latter have the large water-holding capacity.
[[Spore]]s are released from specialized black, shiny capsules located at the tips of thin stalks. ''Sphagnum'' species also reproduce by [[Fragmentation (biology)|fragmentation]].
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.
==Geographic distribution==
Peat mosses occur mainly in the [[Northern Hemisphere]] where different species dominate the bottom layer of peat bogs and moist [[tundra]] areas. The northernmost populations of peat moss lie in the archipelago of [[Svalbard]], arctic [[Norway]] at 81° N.
In the [[Southern Hemisphere]], the largest peat moss areas are in [[New Zealand]], [[Tasmania]], southernmost [[Chile]] and [[Argentina]], but contain comparatively few species. Many species are reported from mountainous, subtropical [[Brazil]], but uncertainty exists regarding the specific status of many of them.
== Uses ==
Decayed, compacted ''Sphagnum'' moss has the name of peat moss. Peat moss can be used as a soil additive which increases the soil's capacity to hold water. This is often necessary when dealing with very sandy soil, or plants that need an increased moisture content to flourish. One such group of plants are the [[carnivorous plants]], often found in wetlands (bogs for example). Dried ''Sphagnum
'' moss is also used in northern Arctic regions as an insulating material.
Peat moss is also a critical element for growing mushrooms; [[mycelium]] grows in compost with a layer of peat moss on top, through which the mushrooms come out, a process called [[pin]]ning.
Anaerobic acidic ''Sphagnum'' bogs ([[moss (habitat)|mosses]], Scottish) are known to preserve mammalian bodies extremely well for millennia. Examples of these preserved specimens are [[Tollund Man]], [[Haraldskær Woman]], [[Clonycavan Man]] and [[Lindow Man]]. Such ''Sphagnum'' bogs can also preserve human hair and clothing, one of the most noteworthy examples being [[Egtved Girl]], [[Denmark]].
It is also used at horse stables as a bedding in horse stalls. It is not a very common bedding, but some farm owners choose peat moss as a great compost with horse manure.
== Conservation ==
There is some question about the sustainability of large-scale ''Sphagnum'' harvesting. In particular, the extraction of large quantities of moss is a threat to raised [[bog]]s [http://www.ipcc.ie/currentaction2005-11.html].
== Health dangers ==
Although rare, exposure to ''Sphagnum'' moss can potentially cause the chronic fungal disease, [[sporotrichosis]]. [[Sporothrix schenckii]] spores enter the skin via abrasions, scratches, and small puncure wounds as a result of unprotected contact exposure to ''Sphagnum'' moss. Sphagnum moss has also been used for centuries as a dressing for wounds. This works because of the moss's ability to evenly soak up blood.
{{commonscat|Sphagnaceae}}
[[Category:Bryophyta]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Peat moss
| image = SphagnumFallax.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = a clump of ''Sphagnum'', peat moss
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Bryophyta]]
| classis = [[Moss|Bryopsida]]
| subclassis = '''Sphagnidae'''
| ordo = '''Sphagnales'''
| familia = '''Sphagnaceae'''
| genus = '''''Sphagnum'''''
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
''[[Sphagnum affine]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum apiculatum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum auriculatum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum balticum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum capillifolium]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum compactum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum cuspidatum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum cymbifolium]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum fallax]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum fuscum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum girgensohnii]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum magellanicum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum majus]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum molle]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum palustre]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum papillosum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum platyphyllum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum riparium]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum rubellum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum russowii]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum squarrosum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum subnitens]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum subsecundum]]''<br>
''[[Sphagnum warnstorfii]]''<br>
and many more
}}
'''''Sphagnum''''' is [[genus]] of between 150-350 species of [[moss]]es commonly called '''peat moss''', due to its prevalence in [[peat]] [[Peat bog|bog]]s. Members of this genus can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; some species can hold up to 20 times their dry weight in water, which is why peat moss is commonly sold as a [[soil]] amendment. Sphagnum and the peat formed from it do not decay readily because of the [[phenolic]] compounds embedded in the moss's cell walls. Peat moss can also [[acid]]ify its surroundings by taking up [[cations]] such as [[calcium]] and [[magnesium]] and releasing [[hydrogen]] ions.
[[Image:Torfmoospolster Sonnentau.jpg|thumb|left|[[Drosera rotundifolia|Common sundew]] in a ''Sphagnum'' moss cushion]]
Individual peat moss plants consist of a main stem, with tightly arranged clusters of branch fascicles usually consisting of two or three spreading branches and two to four hanging branches. The branches are covered by [[wiktionary:ovate|ovate]] to [[wiktionary:lanceolate|lanceolate]] [[Leaf|leaves]] called [[branch leaves]]. The top of the plant, or capitulum, has compact clusters of young branches. Along the stem are scattered leaves of various shape, named [[stem leaves]]; the shape varies according to species. The leaves consist of two kinds of cell; small, green, living cells (chlorophyllose cells), and large, clear, structural, dead cells (hyaline cells). The latter have the large water-holding capacity.
[[Spore]]s are released from specialized black, shiny capsules located at the tips of thin stalks. ''Sphagnum'' species also reproduce by [[Fragmentation (biology)|fragmentation]].
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.
==Geographic distribution==
Peat mosses occur mainly in the [[Northern Hemisphere]] where different species dominate the bottom layer of peat bogs and moist [[tundra]] areas. The northernmost populations of peat moss lie in the archipelago of [[Svalbard]], arctic [[Norway]] at 81° N.
In the [[Southern Hemisphere]], the largest peat moss areas are in [[New Zealand]], [[Tasmania]], southernmost [[Chile]] and [[Argentina]], but contain comparatively few species. Many species are reported from mountainous, subtropical [[Brazil]], but uncertainty exists regarding the specific status of many of them.
== Uses ==
Decayed, compacted ''Sphagnum'' moss has the name of peat moss. Peat moss can be used as a soil additive which increases the soil's capacity to hold water. This is often necessary when dealing with very sandy soil, or plants that need an increased moisture content to flourish. One such group of plants are the [[carnivorous plants]], often found in wetlands (bogs for example). Dried ''Sphagnum
'' moss is also used in northern Arctic regions as an insulating material.
Peat moss is also a critical element for growing mushrooms; [[mycelium]] grows in compost with a layer of peat moss on top, through which the mushrooms come out, a process called [[pin]]ning.
Anaerobic acidic ''Sphagnum'' bogs ([[moss (habitat)|mosses]], Scottish) are known to preserve mammalian bodies extremely well for millennia. Examples of these preserved specimens are [[Tollund Man]], [[Haraldskær Woman]], [[Clonycavan Man]] and [[Lindow Man]]. Such ''Sphagnum'' bogs can also preserve human hair and clothing, one of the most noteworthy examples being [[Egtved Girl]], [[Denmark]].
It is also used at horse stables as a bedding in horse stalls. It is not a very common bedding, but some farm owners choose peat moss as a great compost with horse manure.
== Conservation ==
There is some question about the sustainability of large-scale ''Sphagnum'' harvesting. In particular, the extraction of large quantities of moss is a threat to raised [[bog]]s [http://www.ipcc.ie/currentaction2005-11.html].
== Health dangers ==
Although rare, exposure to ''Sphagnum'' moss can potentially cause the chronic fungal disease, [[sporotrichosis]]. [[Sporothrix schenckii]] spores enter the skin via abrasions, scratches, and small puncure wounds as a result of unprotected contact exposure to ''Sphagnum'' moss. Sphagnum moss has also been used for centuries as a dressing for wounds. This works because of the moss's ability to evenly soak up blood.
{{commonscat|Sphagnaceae}}
[[Category:Bryophyta]]
