Identification Guide - SPHAGNUM MOSSES
Part 3 - Advanced Guide: Sphagnum teres
Sphagnum teres
Sphagnum teres
Microscopic characteristics:
Not clearly distinguished microscopically from the related S. squarrosum but may be separated from some other similar species by checking how the photosynthetic cells of the branch leaves are exposed:
- Medium sized species
- Sometimes distinctly yellowish-brown in appearance but often combined with brighter green tones
- One of the few species which display a prominent conical stem bud (S. fimbriatum and S. squarrosum are the only other Sphagnum species found in England and Wales which share this feature)
- Typically looks and feels relatively stiff
- Tongue-shaped stem leaves typically eroded at the tips and fimbriate
- Often forms raised patches and mats amongst supporting vegetation
- Typically found in mesotrophic locations
- Often associated with Juncus effusus stands
Microscopic characteristics:
Not clearly distinguished microscopically from the related S. squarrosum but may be separated from some other similar species by checking how the photosynthetic cells of the branch leaves are exposed:
- In this species the photosynthetic cells are exposed and therefore prominent when the leaf is viewed from the convex ‘underside’ but not from ‘above’.
Guide prepared by Paul Ardron, Ian Rotherham & Chris Percy
Supported by the British Ecological Society - Peatlands SIG and Sheffield Hallam University
Unless otherwise stated, all images © Paul Ardron. No images may be copied, stored or reproduced elsewhere without written permission.
All photographs are from UK locations
Supported by the British Ecological Society - Peatlands SIG and Sheffield Hallam University
Unless otherwise stated, all images © Paul Ardron. No images may be copied, stored or reproduced elsewhere without written permission.
All photographs are from UK locations
