Freshwater Wetlands/ Peat Moss

COMMON NAME: Sphagnum, Peat Moss

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Bog Moss

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sphagnum sp.

FAMILY: Sphagnaceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetlands

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: Spreading on Ground to 2 inches

DISTRIBUTION: Newfoundland to Florida ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Forms a mat on the surface of shallow ponds or bogs

GENERAL INFORMATION: In World War I (1914-1918) soldiers carried a small kit on their belts containing dried Peat Moss.  It was used in battle to treat and dress wounds.  Dried Peat Moss absorbs moisture and it has aseptic properties. In earlier times Peat Moss was used as packing material to protect fragile glass or ceramics.  Today Peat Moss is used in gardening to promote retention of moisture.  In Europe, peat has been used a fuel for centuries. Wherever Peat Moss grows, its physiological activity tends to make the environment more acidic.  The soft gray-green color is due to the structure of the leaves.  Microscopic examination of a leaf reveals a long narrow, green cell surrounded by a large, colorless dead cell.   The latter has thick fibrils in its walls, like girders in a building, and it usually has a pore.  It is these large dead cells, filled with water, that enable sphagnum moss to act as a sponge.  New growth each year is from the tip of the old plants.  Since decay does not occur or is very slow because of the acid environment, the dead plants accumulate and form deposits of peat. 

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.