Sphagnum palustre Blunt-leaved Bog-moss

A dioicous bog-moss that grows in wet areas in woodland, wet heath, marshy grassland, wet peaty banks, streamsides and other wet, shaded mesotrophic habitats. It is a chunky species often with brown and orange shades, or even pinkish colours which can be particularly striking in unshaded populations. It usually forms hummocks that are looser than and of a different colour to those of Sphagnum papillosum, but more compact, ochre-coloured forms might be a source of confusion. Like that species its branch leaves are blunt and hooded at their tips. However, microscopic examination of the hyaline leaf cells show that their lateral walls are not papillose (see photo). It is more shade-tolerant than Sphagnum papillosum and more likely to be found in woodland. It has a widespread distribution in Britain and it is found throughout Wales. It is widely distributed in marshy habitats in West Glamorgan and particularly in wet parts of woodland, including conifer forests. Sporophyte capsules are occasional in summer.