Moss Specimen

Collected September 21, 2007, by Rosemary Curley from Perth Station, Kings County, PEI (46°14'21.42"N, 62°42'7.86"W. Datum: NAD83). Collected growing in a wet seep.

Sphagnum girgensohnii Russ. is a vibrant green moss with upright, star shaped stems that are flat on top. It grows to a moderate size, 8-20 cm tall and forms carpets of branches that cluster in bunches. Branch leaves are 1-2 mm long and lance shaped. The stem leaves are 1 mm long and tongue shaped with no mid-rib. It reproduces through spores and is found most commonly growing in softwood forests with poor drainage. Sphagnum girgensohnii is common throughout the north east of North America.

This moss is commonly used as nesting material and bedding for birds nests. It has also been traditionally by Canadian First Nations communities to treat wounds and for personal hygiene. Medicinally it can be used in ointments for skin diseases, such as eczema, acne and psoriasis. It can also be distilled to extract a tar like substance which, when mixed with pitch, can be used to fill wood in canoes, to line fire pits, fill pillows and mattresses.