Identification notes
This moss can usually be recognised as being closely related to other species in Section Sphagnum (S. palustre, S. papillosum, S. medium, S. divinum and S. austinii). It is however also one of the rarest and can easily be overlooked in the field as a poorly developed form of S. papillosum or over-pigmented S. palustre.
Habitat is the best pointer to this species, which is mainly confined to Scotland, Eryri and Cumbria. It is not associated with deep acid peat, but very wet swampy mires, runnels and ditches or streams where it grows with species indicative of slightly acid to slightly basic mineral-rich conditions. Under the compound microscope it readily yields its secrets, so the key to identifying potential collections is to look for it where there are tall sedges e.g. Carex rostrata and C. diandra, Phragmites australis and large conspicuous plants including Comarum palustre and Menyanthes trifoliata.
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