Plant Life: Sphagnum Moss

Red Sphagnum Moss

Surprising Sphagnum Moss

Sphagnum mosses are a group of around 380 species that are morphologically and ecologically distinct from most “typical” mosses. Major differences include the aquatic nature of almost all Sphagnum species, their inability to tolerate desiccation, and the organization of their shoot and branches into a distinctive “head” called a capitulum. Some Sphagnum species are green, but many are naturally red, yellow, white or brown. Being generally uncommon and restricted to specific, boggy habitats, they are a treat for the moss lover to find.

Bloedel Reserve has no known Sphagnum on the grounds. To expand moss species diversity and enhance our guests’ nature experience, one or more Sphagnum plantings will be incorporated into existing areas. Before that can happen, two hurdles must be overcome:
1) learning how to grow Sphagnum
2) responsibly acquiring Sphagnum plants

Green Sphagnum Moss

Growing Sphagnum

Fortunately Sphagnum is not too hard to grow. It is just finicky about its needs. It needs to be wet 24 hours a day, ideally in full sun, and prefers naturally-occurring water sources such as rain to avoid the build-up of salts that can occur when irrigation is its primary source of water. We have to take those factors into consideration for all future plantings of Sphagnum moss at the Reserve.

Acquiring Sphagnum Plants

Acquiring Sphagnum for the grounds is more problematic than it may seem. Local nurseries generally don’t sell viable Sphagnum. If they sell any at all, it is generally for floral use or planting material in hanging baskets where it is subjected to severe desiccation before sale. Viable Sphagnum can be mail-ordered. But we have no reliable way of knowing if it was harvested illicitly and the price can be prohibitive for large quantities.

In keeping with Bloedel Reserve’s role as a steward of nature, we have developed a proper way to collect Sphagnum for the grounds. Most Sphagnum habitats are ecologically sensitive, so no more than two square feet will be taken from any single location. Also, permission from the land owner is absolutely necessary. Simply taking plants at will is not part of responsible stewardship.

Islandwood Bog

Islandwood, an environmental education non-profit organization on Bainbridge Island, was gracious enough to let Bloedel Reserve harvest a small quantity of Sphagnum from their bog. You can see the collected Sphagnum sitting happily in a small tub at Bloedel’s nursery, slowly growing and waiting for more moss to join it.

Earlier this year, the Olympic National Forest issued Bloedel Reserve a permit to collect a small amount this summer, but all their Sphagnum sites appear to be under snow right now. Before the COVID-19 situation flared up, the Department of Natural Resources also agreed to let Bloedel Reserve acquire Sphagnum from their land. But the DNR was looking into approved collection sites before issuing an official permit. The stay-at-home order has stalled the DNR permit process for now. We expect that it will be re-examined when things return to normal.

Want to Know More?

Since Bloedel Reserve does not yet have any Sphagnum displays available for visitors, please enjoy the photos with this article. If you have any questions or comments regarding the Bloedel Reserve’s Sphagnum moss project or other moss, conservation or stewardship topics, please feel free to contact Darren at ds******@bl************.org.