Forbs of Treehaven - Sphagnum moss

Sphagnum moss Sphagnum spp.

Foliage Type: leaf Arrangement: simple, alternate

Distinguishing features:

Habitats:

bogs / wet sites

Often confused with:

Ecological Value:

Did You Know?

Sphagnum moss

was used in WWI as surgical cotton.
can soak up to 100 times its own weight; absorbs 3 times as fast as cotton and is slightly antiseptic.

Uses / Ethnobotanical uses:

used for dressing wounds
American Indians used as a diaper
used today as a mulch and packing material
tealike preparation was onced used for eye diseases and a cure for bleeding
dried and packed, sphagnum makes a good fuel source

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Last updated on September 30, 2001.

Please send any suggestions or corrections to H. Knodle

Habitats:	bogs / wet sites
Often confused with:
Ecological Value:
Did You Know?	Sphagnum moss was used in WWI as surgical cotton. can soak up to 100 times its own weight; absorbs 3 times as fast as cotton and is slightly antiseptic.
Uses / Ethnobotanical uses:	used for dressing wounds American Indians used as a diaper used today as a mulch and packing material tealike preparation was onced used for eye diseases and a cure for bleeding dried and packed, sphagnum makes a good fuel source