Moss Specimen

Date2007

Dimensions1.5 x 9.5 x 12.5 cm (9/16 x 3 3/4 x 4 15/16 in.)

Object numberHF.2012.49.34

DescriptionA large sample of green-yellow Sphagnum wulfianum Grig. moss with thick stems. Stems are almost entirely covered in short leaves positioned alternate each other. Leaves near the top end of the stems form a tight bundle, almost rosette-like. Long thin branches, red-brown in colour extend beyond the green-yellow stems and have alternating, small round, grey-green leaves along the length. The branches and stems are tightly interwoven/overlapping.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Bryophyta
Class: Sphagnopsida
Order: Sphagnales
Family: Sphagnaceae
Genus: Sphagnum
Species: Sphagnum wulfianum Grig.

Narrative

Collected September 21, 2007, by Rosemary Curley from Perth Station, Kings County, PEI (46°14'21.42"N,62°42'7.83"W. Datum: NAD83). Collected growing in a wet seep.

Sphagnum wulfianum Grig., moss grows in thick mats. It is easily recognizable as it is the only species with more than six branches per fascicle (as many as eight). Stems are stiff and can be more than 0.5cm thick. Stems have many branched leaves that may be bowed or arched outward. The stems are topped with a round, pom-pom like, apical head. It is usually found growing in wet environments such as nutrient rich conifer forests, swamps, damp soil, and on rotting logs and stumps.

Sphagnum wulfianum is unique as it is known to inhabit the driest sites of all peat moss. It can be found throughout North America, Europe and Asia, and is frequently found in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, less so in PEI.

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