Sphagnum ID?

[diggleken]

Hi all,
grateful for any help with this sphagnum, nicely with capsules from yesterday on the moors - it appears to be Sphagnum subnitens , even from just the colour and leaf shape on the pic, but any help/confirmation appreciated.
Cheers
Ken

[Dorts]

All I can say to help you Ken is that it doesn't look far off Sphagnum subnitens. As you can appreciate, to be sure I would need a piece in my hand.
I do have in my possesion a superb little 'key' for Sphagnums. It was given to me by the late Francis Rose who produced it while studying botany at university many many years ago, I of course now treasure it. He assured me it still worked and often tried it out on his students. I have'nt used it as much as perhaps I should. If I can dig it out I'll try it on your plant!
Dorts.
By the way Ken, wonderful shot.

[diggleken]

Thanks Dorts, its helpful to have some partial confirmation anyway!
I was using E.V.Watson's British mosses and liverworts, but its not always easy and the key in there demands close looking with hand lens at least, which I couldnt do at the time - its quite a specialised area I think, so wasnt hopeful of help,so its great to have some input.
Many thanks for your comment too, I havent seen these with capsules before and always thought spring was the time, but not in this case!
Cheers
Ken

[Dorts]

Ken,
I've spent a bit more time on your plant. Colour is good for S. subnitens, bright green/yellow, (though can be dull red or brown). Fruit capsules are common and are produced in the summer, so that's fine.
It is a very common Sphagnum of blanket bogs and moorland in the North and West, and wet heaths in the South. How does that fit in with your plant?
Dorts.

[diggleken]

Hi Dorts,
yep, that fits well, up on our south pennine peat moors here in Saddleworth,at about 1500ft, seen frequently, just not with capsules before (perhaps I wasnt looking properly) - I didnt realise there were quite so many species of Sphagnum either.....................
This is one of the others which are mostly seen, quite common, hope my S. papillosum ID is about right on this too!
Cheers
Ken

[Dorts]

Ken. I think you've got it spot on again, Sphagnum papillosum looks good to me.
There are 16 species of Sphagnum native to Britain as far as I am aware. Only 14 to go!
Dorts.

[diggleken]

Hi Dorts,
thanks again - I think there are even more than that - Watson has 18 listed and there appear to be some (as always!) thoughts about separating into some more.........................
Cheers
Ken