Sphagnum papillosum Papillose Bog-moss

A dioicous bog-moss which is found on raised and blanket bogs and commonly in valley mires and flushed areas on moorland. It forms ochre tussocks or hummocks  composed of large, swollen plants with stubby branches and branch leaves that are hooded at their apex. It can be confused with Sphagnum palustre which is usually a more green or yellow-bown colour and tends to grow in different habitats. Under the microscope, the walls of the leaf hyaline cells are distinctly rough with papillae on their lateral walls. It is a common moss in western and northern Britain and found throughout much of Wales. It is widespread in boggy areas on the Gower Commons and in the upland boggy moorlands of the South Wales Coalfield in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. Sporophyte capsules are occasional in summer.