AuthorHill, M.O.
Year1992
TitleSphagnum: a field guide
ISBN1 873701 14 4
TypeBook/Report
How Completeall the British species known at the time
Source31pp, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough
IllustrationsLine drawings of salient features accompany the text
Review (by Malcolm Storey)

A short guide to help the non-specialist to identify Sphagnum, or provide a handy aide-memoire to the more experienced. A laudable aim: these are the most significant organisms in acid habitats. People are often put off by their supposed difficulty, but at least the larger species are easy to identify with a hand lens, and once learnt can be recognised at sight.

The booklet starts with 5 pages of glossary explaining the structure of the Sphagnum plant, half a dozen terms and pictures of leaf shapes. This is followed by the General Key (ie Key to Sections), followed by the individual Section keys. Each of these starts with a list of characteristic features and a few words of advice.

Examine with x8 or x10 hand lens ( with x15 or x20 hand lens is also useful)
Specimen PreparationFresh material
Identification difficultyGenerally strightforward, but Section Acutifolia is more tricky. Plants growing in shade may give trouble. Microscopy sometimes needed.

Notes & PurposeStatusTaxonEnglishClassification
For identificationCurrentSphagnumbog mossesPlantae: Sphagnales: Sphagnaceae
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