Sphagnum
Sign in to saveSphagnum is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as sphagnum moss, also bog moss and quacker moss (although that term is also sometimes used for peat). Accumulations of Sphagnum can store water, since both living and dead plants can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; plants may hold 16 to 26 times as much water as their dry weight, depending on the species. The empty cells help retain water in drier conditions.
AI overview
Sphagnum is a group of about 380 moss species commonly found in wetlands and bogs that can absorb and store remarkably large amounts of water—up to 26 times their own dry weight. Because of this water-holding capacity, accumulations of sphagnum moss play an important role in maintaining moisture in ecosystems, with both living and dead plants contributing to water retention through specialized empty cells in their structure.
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Taxonomy · GBIF
GENUS
- KingdomPlantae
- PhylumBryophyta
- ClassSphagnopsida
- OrderSphagnales
- FamilySphagnaceae
via GBIF · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Sphagnaceae
- Image
- SphagnumFallax.jpg
Show 3 more facts
- P105
- genus
Article
12 sectionsContents
- Description
- Lifecycle
- Spore dispersal
- Taxonomy
- Distribution
- Conservation
- Chile
- Europe
- New Zealand
- Uses
- References
- External links
Sphagnum is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as sphagnum moss, also bog moss and quacker moss (although that term is also sometimes used for peat). Accumulations of Sphagnum can store water, since both living and dead plants can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; plants may hold 16 to 26 times as much water as their dry weight, depending on the species. The empty cells help retain water in drier conditions.
As Sphagnum moss grows, it can slowly spread into drier conditions, forming larger mires, both raised bogs and blanket bogs. Thus, Sphagnum can influence the composition of such habitats, with some describing Sphagnum as 'habitat manipulators' or 'autogenic ecosystem engineers'. These peat accumulations then provide habitat for a wide array of peatland plants, including sedges and ericaceous shrubs, as well as orchids and carnivorous plants.