peat moss

peat moss
1. Also called bog moss. any moss, esp. of the genus Sphagnum, from which peat may form.
2. such moss after it has been dried, used chiefly as a mulch or seedbed, for acidification.
[1225-75 for earlier sense; 1870-80 for def. 1; ME petemos (in placename) peat bog]

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or sphagnum moss

Any of more than 160 species of plants that make up the bryophyte genus Sphagnum, which grow in dense clumps around ponds, in swamps and bogs, on moist, acid cliffs, and on lakeshores from tropical to subpolar regions.

These pale-green to deep-red plants can hold 20 times their weight in water. As they die and are compressed, they form organic peat, which is harvested and dried as fuel, as seedbed cover, and as shipping packaging for plants and live aquatic animals. Gardeners stir peat into soil to increase soil moisture, porosity, and acidity and to reduce erosion.

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plant
also called  bog moss  or  sphagnum moss 
 any of more than 150–300 species of plants in the subclass Sphagnidae, of the division Bryophyta, comprising the family Sphagnaceae, which contains one genus, Sphagnum. The taxonomy of Sphagnum species remains controversial, with various botanists accepting quite different numbers of species. The pale green to deep red plants, up to 30 cm (about 12 inches) tall, form dense clumps around ponds, in swamps and bogs, on moist, acid cliffs, and on lakeshores from tropical to subpolar regions. The veinless leaves and stem cortex contain many interconnected, enlarged dead cells, with external openings through which water can enter; the plants hold up to 20 times their weight in water.

      Each spherical brown sporangium, or spore case, shrinks as it dries, creating internal pressure that casts off the lid (operculum) and shoots the spores as far as 10 cm from the plant. The metabolic processes of growing peat moss cause an increase in the acidity of the surrounding water, thus reducing bacterial action and preventing decay.

       peat moss forms several types of bogs in northern areas. Compression and chemical breakdown of dead plants and other vegetable debris cause formation of the organic substance known as peat, which is harvested and dried for use as fuel. Dried peat moss has been used for surgical dressings, diapers, lamp wicks, bedding, and stable litter. It is commonly employed as a packing material by florists and shippers of live aquatic animals and as a seedbed cover and soil additive by gardeners, who value its ability to increase soil moisture, porosity, and acidity. Peat mosses are valuable in erosion control, and properly drained peat bogs provide useful agricultural land.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Peat moss — Peat Peat, n. [Prob. for beat, prop., material used to make the fire burn better, fr. AS. b?tan to better, mend (a fire), b?t advantage. See {Better}, {Boot} advantage.] A substance of vegetable origin, consisting of roots and fibers, moss, etc …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • peat moss — peat′ moss n. 1) pln any moss, esp. of the genus Sphagnum, from which peat may form 2) such moss when dried, used chiefly as a mulch or seedbed • Etymology: 1870–80; cf. ME petemos (in place name) peat bog …   From formal English to slang

  • peat moss — n. 1. any moss which forms peat, esp. sphagnum 2. any peat composed of residues of mosses, used chiefly as mulch 3. [Brit. Dial.] a peat bog …   English World dictionary

  • peat moss — noun any of various pale or ashy mosses of the genus Sphagnum whose decomposed remains form peat • Syn: ↑sphagnum, ↑sphagnum moss, ↑bog moss • Hypernyms: ↑moss • Member Holonyms: ↑genus Sphagnum * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • peat moss — kiminas statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Kimininių šeimos (Sphagnaceae) lapuotųjų samanų gentis (Sphagnum). Skiriama peat moss 320 rūšių. Paplitę vidutinio ir šaltojo klimato srityse. Auga tundroje, pelkėse, pelkėtuose… …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • peat moss bog — samaninė pelkė statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Pelkė, kurioje vyrauja samanos, retai auga nuskurdusios žemaūgės pušys, beržai. atitikmenys: angl. peat moss bog; sphagnum bog vok. Sphagnummoor, n; Torfmoosmoor, n; Weiβmoor, n …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • peat moss — /ˈpit mɒs/ (say peet mos) noun 1. any moss from which peat has formed or may form, as sphagnum, and used as a basis for potting mixtures. 2. → peat bog …  

  • peat moss — noun 1》 a large absorbent moss which grows in dense masses on boggy ground. [Genus Sphagnum.] 2》 a peat bog …   English new terms dictionary

  • peat moss — The form in which peat is sold and used as a ground cover …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • peat moss —   Partially decomposed sphagnum moss, often added to soil to increase moisture retention; medium of choice for the ‘baggie method’ of cycad seed germination …   Expanded glossary of Cycad terms

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