Sphagnum palustre L., Sphagnaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  no

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 12.5 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

English: prairie sphagnum

Habit:  moss

Description:  "Plants moderate-sized to robust, strong-stemmed, lax to somewhat compact, capitulum somewhat flattened to more typically compact and rounded; green to golden brown to pale brown with often a pinkish tinge; carpets to more or less compact, low to moderate sized hummocks. Stems brown, superficial cortical cells with spiral reinforcing fibrils visible, usually 2-4 pores per cell, comb-fibrils lacking on interior wall. Stem leaves to 1.7 x 1 mm, occasionally longer; rarely hemiisophyllous; hyaline cells non-ornamented, nonseptate. Branches long and tapering, leaves ± imbricate to spreading in shade forms. Branch fascicles with 2 spreading and 2 pendent branches. Branch stems with hyaline cells non-ornamented; no or weak funnel-like projections on the interior end walls, often with 1 large pore per cell on superficial cell walls. Branch leaves broadly ovate, 2.2 x 1.3 mm, hyaline cells non-ornamented, convex surface with elliptic pores along the commissures, chlorophyllous cells isosceles-triangular to ovate-triangular in transverse section and just enclosed to just exposed on the convex surface; end wall not thickened. Sexual condition dioicous. Capsule with numerous pseudostomata. Spores 24-33 æm, surface finely papillose to smooth, distal surface with distinct bifurcated Y-mark sculpture; proximal laesura more than 0.6 spore radius"  (Flora of North America online).

Habitat/ecology:  "Forested fens and poor to rich sedge fens; low to moderate elevations"  (Flora of North America online).

Propagation:  Spores

Native range:  Worldwide

Presence:

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
British Columbia (province of Canada) Province of British Columbia	Canada (British Columbia)	native	Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. (2013)
United States (west coast) United States (west coast states)	USA (Oregon)	native	Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. (2013)
United States (west coast) United States (west coast states)	USA (California)	native	Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. (2013)
United States (west coast) United States (west coast states)	USA (Washington)	native	Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. (2013)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Canada Canada	Canada	native	Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. (2013)
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	United States (other states)	native	Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. (2013)
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	native	Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. (2013)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Sphagnum palustre, please let us know.