sphagnum

Everyday

A kind of soft moss that grows in wet bogs and can hold huge amounts of water; it slowly turns into peat. tree →

In the lessons

In science and geography lessons sphagnum moss builds peat bogs, which store a lot of carbon and help fight climate change; draining or digging bogs releases carbon. In history, sphagnum was used as wound dressing in the First World War because it soaks up liquid and slows germs. Gardeners use it for hanging baskets.

Examples

• Sphagnum moss can hold many times its weight in water. tree →
• Peat bogs are made of old sphagnum. tree →
• In World War I, people collected sphagnum to dress wounds. tree →
• Bog bodies were preserved by sphagnum and peat. tree →
• Gardeners line baskets with sphagnum moss. tree →
• Protecting bogs with sphagnum helps store carbon. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Say «SFAG-num» (ph = f). Also called bog moss or peat moss.