Sphagnum palustre L. Family - Sphagnaceae. Common Names(s) - praire sphagnum, peat moss, spoon-leaved sphagnum, boat-leaved sphagnum. Synonym(s) -Sphagnum cymbifolium (Ehrhart) R. Hedwig.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

1

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

1

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?

y=-2, ?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

1.5

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

3

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

1

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

-1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

12.5

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Sphagnum palustre has a very limited presence in the Hawaiian Islands, occurring naturally on Hawaii. It occurs at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,900 m. (2) Occurs in: Canada; United States; Europe; Pacific Islands. (3) British Columbia to California; Newfoundland to Wisconsin and south to Florida and Texas; Jamaica; Mexico; northern and central Europe; the Caucasus; Himalayas, Thailand and Japan; Hawaii. Reported from many parts of South America, Korea, and southeastern Asia and southward to Australia and New Zealand.

(1) Karlin E.R., Andrus R.E. 1995. The Sphagna of Hawaii. The Bryologist. 98 (2):235-238 (2) McQueen, C.R., Andrus R.E. 2007. Sphagnaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 12+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 27, pp 45-53 (3) Crum H.A. and L.E. Anderson. 1981. Mosses of Eastern North America. Vol. 1. Columbia University Press. New York.

2.02

(1) Sphagnum palustre has a very limited presence in the Hawaiian Islands, occurring naturally on Hawaii. It occurs at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,900 m. (2) Occurs in: Canada; United States; Europe; Pacific Islands .(3) British Columbia to California; Newfoundland to Wisconsin and south to Florida and Texas; Jamaica; Mexico; northern and central Europe; the Caucasus; Himalayas, Thailand and Japan; Hawaii. Reported from many parts of South America, Korea, and southeastern Asia and southward to Australia and New Zealand

(1) Karlin E.R., Andrus R.E. 1995. The Sphagna of Hawaii. The Bryologist. 98 (2):235-238 (2) .McQueen, C.R., Andrus R.E. 2007. Sphagnaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 12+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 27, pp 45-53 (3) Crum H.A. and L.E. Anderson. 1981. Mosses of Eastern North America. Vol. 1. Columbia University Press. New York.

2.03

(1) Sphagnum palustre has a very limited presence in the Hawaiian Islands, occurring naturally on Hawaii. It occurs at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,900 m, which closely correspond to the wettest zone in the Hawaiian Islands (on summits and northeast-facing slopes at elevations ranging from 600-1,500 m. (2) Low to moderate elevations

(1) Karlin E.R., Andrus R.E. 1995. The Sphagna of Hawaii. The Bryologist. 98 (2):235-238 (2) .McQueen, C.R., Andrus R.E. 2007. Sphagnaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 12+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 27, pp 45-53

2.04

(1) Sphagnum palustre has a very limited presence in the Hawaiian Islands, occurring naturally on Hawaii. It occurs at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,900 m, which closely correspond to the wettest zone in the Hawaiian Islands (on summits and northeast-facing slopes at elevations ranging from 600-1,500 m.

(1) Karlin E.R., Andrus R.E. 1995. The Sphagna of Hawaii. The Bryologist. 98 (2):235-238.

2.05

(1) Reported from many parts of South America, Korea, and southeastern Asia and southward to Australia and New Zealand.

(1) Crum H.A. and L.E. Anderson. 1981. Mosses of Eastern North America. Vol. 1. Columbia University Press. New York.

3.01

(1) Although Sphagnum palustre is indigenous to Hawaii it was limited to the Kohala Mountains until its use with forestry seedlings spread it more widely on the island of Hawaii. (2) Sphagnum palustre was used for enbaling earth-free seedlings of exotic seeds before carrying them into the jungle for planting. Known only from the District of Kohala, Hawaii, populations have naturalized along the rainforest road, 42 miles (as the crow flies) from the Waipio Valley.

(1) http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/153/v153.pdf [Cited 2009 May 1]. (2) Degener O., Degener I., Hörmann H.1969. Cyanea carlsonii rock and the unnatural distribution of Sphagnum palustre L. Phytologia 19 (1):1-3.

3.02

No evidence

(1) http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinames.htm [Cited 2009 May 5].

3.03

No evidence.

(1) http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinames.htm [Cited 2009 May 5].

3.04

(1) Sphagnum. palustre was transplanted from the Kohala Mountains of Hawaii to what is now the Mt. Kaala Natural Area Reserve on Oahu. The species has thrived in the cloud forest it was introduced to, so much so that it endangers the ecological balance of the native ecosystem. It forms an extensive carpet and retards regeneration by the native cloud forest overstory species. Natural Area Reserve staff have attempted to clear the moss out of the forest, but have not been very successful in controlling it. (2) Sphagnum species strongly modify their habitats in ways that limit the growth of other plants. S. palustre was also spread to Kaala Bog on Oahu where it is displaces ground bryophytes. In the longer term it may also prevent regeneration of ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) and other trees by increasing waterlogging and acidification of the ground.

(1) Karlin E.R., Andrus R.E. 1995. The Sphagna of Hawaii. The Bryologist. 98 (2):235-238. (2) http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/153/v153.pdf [Cited 2009 May 1].

3.05

No evidence of congeneric weed.

(1) http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinames.htm [Cited 2009 May 4].

4.01

(1) 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

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

4.02

(1) Sphagnum species strongly modify their habitats in ways that limit the growth of other plants. (2) Sphagnum is very resistant to decomposition, while it also generates adicic, anoxic, heat-insulating and nutrient-poor conditions, and exudes secondary metabolites reducing microbial decay of plant litter.

(1) http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/153/v153.pdf [Cited 2009 May 1]. (2) http://books.google.com/books?id=1REreGlj-bgC&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=sphagnum+palustre&source=bl&ots=gQTxor16Ng&sig=
nihHztuYXKxee5t00vqZ6iwXpwc&hl=en&ei=56b7SdKAPZq6tgPVjPTNAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10#PPA28,M1 [Cited 2009 May 1].

4.03

(1) Not parasitic.

(1) McQueen, C.R., Andrus R.E. 2007. Sphagnaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 12+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 27, pp 45-53.

4.04

Unknown

4.05

(1) No evidence of toxicity in PubMed. (2) No evidence of Toxicity in ToxNet.

(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez [Cited 2009 May 5]. (2) http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search [Cited 2009 May 5].

4.06

Unknown

4.07

(1) Fungal-caused sporotrichosis is a hazard to nursery workers and harvesters of Sphagnum.

(1) McQueen, C.R., Andrus R.E. 2007. Sphagnaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 12+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 27, pp 45-53.

4.08

(1) Forming wide carpes or cussions of varying size in more or less mineral-rich swampy habitats, usually in the shade.

(1) Crum H.A. and L.E. Anderson. 1981. Mosses of Eastern North America. Vol. 1. Columbia University Press. New York.

4.09

(1) Sphagnum palustre is tolerant of woodland shade. (2) Generalist, tolerates a range of environmental conditions (open sun, partial shade, full shade).

(1) http://freespace.virgin.net/frances.watkins/fritillary/frit4/chawley.pdf [Cited 2009 May 4] (2).http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/ecocomm.nsf/
c6b2f012f2fd7f158825738b0067d20b/9a6226e464ecdb3f88256b5d0067de0d/$FILE/chapter4.pdf [Cited 2009 May 4].

4.10

(1) Widespread in forested fens and poor to rich sedge fens. (2) Poor to medium soil. Soil pH 3.4-6.8. Adapted to mineral-poor soil conditions.

(1) McQueen, C.R., Andrus R.E. 2007. Sphagnaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 12+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 27, pp 45-53. (2).http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/ecocomm.nsf/
c6b2f012f2fd7f158825738b0067d20b/9a6226e464ecdb3f88256b5d0067de0d/$FILE/chapter4.pdf [Cited 2009 May 4].

4.11

(1) 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.

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

4.12

(1) 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.

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

5.01

(1) Terrestrial.

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

5.02

(1) Sphagnaceae

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

5.03

Not a woody plant, however does have nitrogen-fixing associations. (1) In Sphagnum, three types of nitrogen-fixing associations exist: epiphytic Cyanobacteria, intracellular Cyanobacteria, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

(1) McQueen, C.R., Andrus R.E. 2007. Sphagnaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 12+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 27, pp 45-53.

5.04

(1) Sphagnaceae

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

6.01

No evidence.

6.02

(1) Spores remained viable for 6 months.

(1) Bold, H. C. (1948). "The Prothallium of Sphagnum palustre L." The Bryologist 51(2): 55-63.

6.03

Unknown (1) Sphagnum troendelagicum is a hybrid of Sphagnum balticum and Sphagnum tenellum.

(1) Sastad, S. M., Stenoien H.K., Flatberg K.I., Bakken S. 2001. "The Narrow Endemic Sphagnum troendelagicum is an Allopolyploid Derivative of the Widespread S. balticum and S. tenellum." Systematic Botany 26(1): 66-74.

6.04

(1) Dioecious species.

(1) McQueen, C.R., Andrus R.E. 2007. Sphagnaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 12+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 27, pp 45-53

6.05

(1) Sphagnaceae

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

6.06

(1) Sphagnum palustre produced adventitious buds on shoot fragments after one week. New shoots and bright green buds on detached capitula were seedn in the field after three weeks.

(1) Studlar, S. M. (1983). "Recovery of Trampled Bryophyte Communities Near Mountian Lake, Virginia." Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 110(1): 1-11.

6.07

(1) Leafy gametophores develop from germinating spores in approximately 60 days in laboratory cultures under artificial light.

(1) Bold, H. C. (1948). "The Prothallium of Sphagnum palustre L." The Bryologist 51(2): 55-63.

7.01

(1) Spores released by explosive opening of operculum. (2) The Kohala Mountains appear to be the original natural location of Sphagnum on the island of Hawaii. Sphagnum is found elsewhere on the island (Hilo Forest Reserve, Kau Forest Reserve, Honaunau Forest Re-serve, Kilauea) but it appears that these other populations most probably resulted from recent transplantation or accidental introduction by humans. Information on the herbarium label of the one specimen from the Honaunau population indicates that this population was established by a transplant from the Kohala area.

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1]. (2) Karlin E.R., Andrus R.E. 1995. The Sphagna of Hawaii. The Bryologist. 98 (2):235-238.

7.02

(1) The Kohala Mountains appear to be the original natural location of Sphagnum on the island of Hawaii. Sphagnum is found elsewhere on the island (Hilo Forest Reserve, Kau Forest Reserve, Honaunau Forest Re-serve, Kilauea) but it appears that these other populations most probably resulted from recent transplantation or accidental introduction by humans. Information on the herbarium label of the one specimen from the Honaunau population indicates that this population was established by a transplant from the Kohala area. Although Sphagnum palustre is indigenous to Hawaii it was limited to the Kohala Mountains until its use with forestry seedlings spread it more widely on the island of Hawaii. (2) Sphagnum and its peat are economically valuable. Peat has been intensively mined and used for soil conditioning and other horitcultural uses, fuel, absorption, insulation, biofiltration, and as a flavourer in Scotch whisky.

(1) Karlin E.R., Andrus R.E. 1995. The Sphagna of Hawaii. The Bryologist. 98 (2):235-238 (2) .http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:N5felPo6oAwJ:www.diva-portal.org/diva/getDocument%3Furn_nbn_se_uu_diva-526-1__fulltext.pdf+sphagnum+%2B+%22reproduction%22&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us [Cited 2009 May 4].

7.03

(1) Spores released by explosive opening of operculum. (2) Nurserymen typically use wet Sphagnum for shipping live plants.

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1]. (2) McQueen, C.R., Andrus R.E. 2007. Sphagnaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 12+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 27, pp 45-53.

7.04

(1) Spores released by explosive opening of operculum.

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

7.05

Unknown (1) Spores released by explosive opening of operculum.

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

7.06

(1) Spores released by explosive opening of operculum. (2) Dispersal of native Sphagnum to adjacent Hawaiian Islands by adhering to birds has not been successful.

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

7.07

No means of external attachment. (1) Spores released by explosive opening of operculum.

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

7.08

Not likely. (1) Spores released by explosive opening of operculum.

(1) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V1/SphaSphagnaceae.htm [Cited 2009 May 1].

8.01

(1) In this study, the number of spores per sporophyte in eight Sphagnum species ranged from 18,500 to 240,000.

(1) http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:N5felPo6oAwJ:www.diva-portal.org/diva/getDocument%3Furn_nbn_se_uu_diva-526-1__fulltext.pdf+sphagnum+%2B+%22reproduction%22&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us [Cited 2009 May 4].

8.02

Unknown (1) Spores remained viable for 6 months. (2) This experiment tested the viability of four Sphagnum species buried at different depths in peat on a bog, S. balticum, S. tenellum, S. fuscum and S. lindberguu. There was an indication of conditional dormancy, controlled by weather. The experiments indicated that Sphagnum spores can form a long-term persistent spore bank under suitable conditions, with a half life of 1-20 years.

(1) Bold, H. C. (1948). "The Prothallium of Sphagnum palustre L." The Bryologist 51(2): 55-63. (2) S. SUNDBERG, H. R. (2000). "Experimental evidence for a persistent spore bank in Sphagnum" New Phytologist 148(1): 105-116.

8.03

(1) The Army Environmental Team is conducting smallscale experiments at the Kaala Bog to control Sphagnum using calcium hydroxide, which very effectively kills the Sphagnum (2) CaOH: at rates of 20 g/m2 and 40 g/m2 had high kill rates in an experiment by the Army Environmental Team in Oahu.

(1) http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/153/v153.pdf [Cited 2009 May 1]. (2) Write up by Dave Joby 2003. Invasive Mosses. Unpublished report. Oahu Army Natural Resource Program.

8.04

(1) In this study on trampling effects, Sphagnum palustre showed a 60% recovery in height after one year.

(1) Studlar, S. M. (1983). "Recovery of Trampled Bryophyte Communities Near Mountain Lake, Virginia." Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 110(1): 1-11.

8.05

Unknown