Low Sphagnum

Description

Forms compact, dense mats or, less frequently, slightly taller, looser cushions. Pale green, or more typically a mix of autumn colours - yellow, orange and brown. The capitula are concealed by crowded, upward-pointing branches, and individual stems are usually so densely packed that the impression is of a smooth, velvety surface rather than one of closely packed but individually distinct capitula. Stems are dark brown or black. Stem leaves are minute, only about a quarter of the length of the branch leaves, triangular and point downwards. S. compactum is unusual in that it generally grows separate from other species of Sphagnum. Its discrete isolated patches are characteristic. Capsules are frequent.