Peat moss (Sphangnum)

Kingdom:Plantae

Phylum:Bryophyta

Class:Sphagnopsida

Subclass:Sphagnidae

Order:Sphagnales

Family:Sphagnaceae

Genus:Sphagnum

Individual peat moss plants consist of a main stem, with tightly arranged clusters of branch fascicles usually consisting of two or three spreading branches and two to four hanging branches. The top of the plant, or capitulum, has compact clusters of young branches. Along the stem are scattered leaves of various shape, named stem leaves; the shape varies according to species. The leaves consist of two kinds of cell; small, green, living cells (chlorophyllose cells), and large, clear, structural, dead cells (hyaline cells). The latter have the large water-holding capacity.

Interesting Fact: Some species can hold up to20 times their dry weight in water!