Acute-leaved Bog-moss - Sphagnum capillifolium

Sphagnum capillifolium is split into two subspecies, though elsewhere in Europe and North America, these are interpreted as full species. Intermediate forms occur, so not all specimens will be identifiable to sub-species. Shoots of both sub-species are small to medium in size. The plants are all or mostly red, except if shaded, when they are green.

Sphagnum capillifolium subsp. capillifolium occurs in dense, firm, sometimes large hummocks. Individual shoots are often very slender, but packed tightly together, with convex to hemispherical capitula; hence the surface of the hummock is bumpy, like cauliflower florets, not smooth. Hummocks are so dense that it is difficult to extract single shoots with your fingers. Branch leaves are not (or scarcely) in straight lines and are straight (not turned to one side). On moist shoots, most branch stems cannot be seen through the branch leaves. Spreading branches are long, with a tapering, down-turned, white tip, consisting of elongated leaves without any pigmentation. Stem leaves are triangular at the tip, more than 1.2 mm long. Capsules are frequent.

Grows in extensive, loose carpets or in soft hummocks from which it is easy to extract single shoots by hand. Capitula are almost to markedly flat-topped and stellate. Some upper spreading branches are curved near the tip, as viewed from above, with leaves in straight lines, and turned to one side, especially towards the branch tip. On moist shoots, most branch stems are clearly visible through the branch leaves. If spreading branches have a white tip, this does not consist of elongated leaves. Stem leaves are somewhat rounded at the tip, less than 1.2 mm long. Capsules are rare.

Sphagnum capillifolium grows on bogs and heathland, in wet woodland, on well-drained mineral soils and shallow peat in humid places, for example in native pinewoods and on north-east- to north-west-facing, heather-dominated banks.

All year round.

Widespread in Britain, but true status is unclear at present.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.