What is Sphagnum Moss and Peat Moss
Decayed, compacted Sphagnum moss has the name of peat moss.
Peat moss is used as a soil additive which increases the soil's capacity to hold water and nutrients by increasing capillary forces and cation exchange capacity (CEC). This is often necessary when dealing with very sandy soil, or plants that need an increased moisture content to flourish. One such group of plants are the carnivorous plants, often found in wetlands (bogs for example).
Dried Sphagnum moss is also used in northern Arctic regions as an insulating material. Peat moss is also a critical element for growing mushrooms; mycelium grows in compost with a layer of peat moss on top, through which the mushrooms come out, a process called pinning.
The leaves of S. cristatum are spirally arranged and are constructed of an inner core of dead hyaline cells surrounded by a narrow wall of living photosynthetic cell. The hyaline cells are large and contain small perforations that allow the plant to absorb and retain almost 20 times its own weight in water.
Sphagnum moss is used extensively in the horticultural industry because of its super-absorbent qualities. It is most often used in the propagation of orchids, hanging baket liners, as a soil additive to promote water retention and for the long-distant transportation of rootstock. It has also been used as a surgical dressing since World War 1 because of its antibacterial qualities and its capacity to absorb 6 times the amount of fluid as cotton.(see Health Dangers below)
It can also be used as a substrate for tarantulas as it is easy to burrow into and contains no insecticides which could kill the spider. Sphagnum Moss is also a recommended bedding for snakes and other reptiles.
Health dangers
Sphagnum moss can potentially harbour the chronic fungal disease, sporotrichosis. Sporothrix schenckii spores enter the skin via abrasions, scratches, and small puncture wounds as a result of unprotected contact exposure to Sphagnum moss.
