sphagnum
Absorbent potting moss
Sphagnum is a genus of moss that grows in dense, spongy mats in bogs and wetlands.
Also called peat moss, it holds many times its weight in water and acidifies its surroundings.
Dried sphagnum is used in gardening to retain moisture and improve soil: Add sphagnum to the potting mix.
Acidic peat wetland
- fenLow marshy ground
- marshGrassy waterlogged lowland
- swampWaterlogged land with vegetation
- mireBoggy, waterlogged terrain
peatland · muskeg · moor · quagmire · wetland · slough · moorland · waterlogged
Spore-bearing ground cover
- liverwortPrimitive spore-bearing plant
- hornwortSpore plant with projections
- nonvascularWithout conducting tissues
- gametophyteHaploid reproductive generation
rhizoid · chlorophyll · photosynthesis · spore · capsule
Waterlogged decomposed vegetation
- peatmossPartially decayed wetland vegetation
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- anaerobicNot requiring oxygen
stratification · preservation · acidification · substrate · humus · horticulture · seedling · germination
Below neutral pH
- ion-exchangeCharged particle substitution process
- cationPositively charged ion
- nutrient-poorLow in essential compounds
- sundewInsect-trapping marsh plant
Allowing passage of fluids
- capillarySmallest blood vessel
- wickingLiquid drawn through fibers
- spongySoft and absorbent
- moistureSmall amounts of liquid
saturate · absorptive · hygroscopic · hydrophilic · diaper · insulation · surgical · antimicrobial
bog
Acidic peat wetland
mire · peatland · muskeg · moor · quagmire · wetland · slough · moorland · waterlogged · soggy
moss
Spore-bearing ground cover
- liverwortPrimitive spore-bearing plant
- hornwortSpore plant with projections
- nonvascularWithout conducting tissues
gametophyte · rhizoid · chlorophyll · photosynthesis · spore · capsule
peat
Waterlogged decomposed vegetation
- peatmossPartially decayed wetland vegetation
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
anaerobic · stratification · preservation · acidification · substrate · humus · horticulture · seedling · germination · terrarium
acidic
Below neutral pH
- ion-exchangeCharged particle substitution process
- cationPositively charged ion
- nutrient-poorLow in essential compounds
porous
Allowing passage of fluids
moisture · saturate · absorptive · hygroscopic · hydrophilic · diaper · insulation · surgical · antimicrobial · bandage
sphagnumlichen
Symbiotic rock dweller
cactus · tree · flowering plant · succulent · hardwood
sphagnumxerophyte
Drought-tolerant plant species
cactus · desert plant · succulent · sagebrush · tumbleweed