Peat moss (Sphagnum perichaetiale)
Description
Sphagnum perichaetiale is a leaf moss species described by Hampe in C. Müller in 1848 . Sphagnum perichaetiale included in the genus Sphagnum moss , and family Sphagnaceae . No subspecies are listed in theCatalog of Life. Sphagnum is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as peat moss. Accumulations of Sphagnum can store water, since both living and dead plants can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; plants may hold 16–26 times as much water as their dry weight, depending on the species. The empty cells help retain water in drier conditions. Individual peat moss plants consist of a main stem, with tightly arranged clusters of branch fascicles usually consisting of two or three spreading branches and two to four hanging branches. The top of the plant, or capitulum, has compact clusters of young branches. Along the stem are scattered leaves of various shapes, named stem leaves; the shape varies according to species. The leaves consist of two kinds of cells; small, green, living cells (chlorophyllose cells), and large, clear, structural, dead cells (hyaline cells). The latter have the large water-holding capacity.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Bryophyta
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Class: Sphagnopsida
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Order: Sphagnales
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Family: Sphagnaceae
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Genus: Sphagnum
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