Sphagnum

Description

A small- to medium-sized Sphagnum. Green, yellowish or brown, occurring as scattered stems or in loose carpets. Capitula are small and poorly developed, often consisting of little more than a large terminal bud with 1 or 2 branches around it. Branches are short and blunt, 1-3 per fascicle, and are all similar in appearance and size. The stem is pale to light brown, never dark brown or black, but can appear dark owing to staining in swampy habitats. Stem leaves are strongly concave, elliptical and as large as or larger than the branch leaves, and of similar shape. Capsules have not been recorded in Britain or Ireland.