Wonderful sphagnum moss. Moss sphagnum is a marsh inhabitant of a "broad spectrum of action

SPHAGNUM

Sphagnum is a large genus of plants, including over 200 species of mosses, similar in structure and ecology.

Systematics and names

Sphagnum belongs to the higher, or, as they are also called, leafy plants. This division is rather arbitrary, but characterizes moss as a plant with differentiated organs. Sphagnum belongs to the department Bryophytes, or Bryophytes, the most primitive department of modern higher plants.

The order Sphagnum (Sphagnales) differs from green mosses in a number of anatomical, morphological and biological characteristics. It includes only one family - Sphagnum (Shagnaceae) and the only genus Shagnum, which unites about 350 species (according to other sources, 320). In the photo, marsh sphagnum (Shagnum palustre).

Synonymous names for sphagnum:

White moss - comes from the white or light green color of some species; due to its white color, sphagnum moss is sometimes confused with certain types of lichens.
peat moss - due to the ability of the plant to form peat bogs;
sphagnum.

Range and place in biocenoses

The main distribution of sphagnum mosses is the tundra and forest zones of the Northern Hemisphere: in the northern and middle parts of the forest zone, taiga, tundra, forest tundra, in Siberia, on Far East and the Caucasus.

In the Southern Hemisphere, sphagnum moss is less common, growing mainly in mountainous areas. Although sphagnum is a typical Holarctic plant, the largest species diversity This genus is found in South America.

Ecosystems where sphagnum mosses grow:
raised bogs (also called sphagnum bogs);
swampy coniferous or mixed forests;
forest-tundra zone dominated by coniferous trees;
wet meadows with poor drainage and stagnant water;
river valleys with swampy banks, here on the forest terraces the range of sphagnum can extend far to the south, up to the steppe zone;
mountainous regions (alpine and subalpine belt).

Morphological features

All types of sphagnum have morphological features that are unique to mosses - they have no roots. But sphagnum has its own character traits that distinguish it from green mosses.

Contrary to the often used name "white moss", most species of sphagnum have a green, brown or reddish color.

Sphagnum is clearly differentiated into stem and leaves. Branched stems, caulidia, grow vertically, reaching a height of 20 cm. Sphagnum stems growing densely form pads or tufts. Sphagnum moss grows only in the upper part, while the lower part gradually dies off, forming peat.

A characteristic feature of sphagnum is the absence of rhizoids in adult plants that replace moss roots. In moss germinating from spores, rhizoids are formed, but soon die along with the lower part of the sphagnum.

The structure of the sphagnum stem is simple: in the center is the core, the inner layer consists of elongated cells with thickened walls (prosenchyma), and on the outside the stem is covered with epidermal cells. Sphagnum multilayered epidermis is called hyaloderm. This layer consists of dead, empty, transparent cells that have pores. Cells are always filled with water and dissolved mineral components, they play the role of a conductive tissue.

Thanks to hyalodermal cells and water-bearing leaf cells, sphagnum has the property of being hygroscopic. Dry moss can increase its mass thirty times when it enters the water.

At the end of each branch, the leaves are collected in a bundle - this is a feature of sphagnum moss.

Leaves, or phyllidia, have two types of sphagnum - stem and branch. The branch leaves are smaller than the stem leaves and are arranged like tiles: they overlap one another.

Sphagnum moss leaves consist of only one layer of cells. Their difference from the leaves of green mosses is that sphagnum does not have a central leaf vein.

Leaf cells are divided into living and dead. This is due to different cellular functions. Living (assimilating) cells contain chlorophyll, they are narrow, worm-like, long. The dead are diamond-shaped, absorb and retain water.

Photo: white moss - sphagnum / marsh sphagnum

Reproduction features

Mosses are the only representatives of higher plants in which the gametophyte, that is, the haploid generation, dominates in the development cycle. The diploid generation is a sporophyte, strongly reduced and is a spore-bearing box on a stem.

Sphagnum, like all representatives of the Briophyte department, reproduces with the help of spores and with the help of gametes (sexual reproduction).

The gametophyte generation is what people call sphagnum (stem with leaves). Among the hundreds of species of sphagnum there are monoecious and dioecious representatives. Gametes in sphagnum are formed in archegonia and antheridia.

Features of the chemical composition

The composition of sphagnum moss includes:
tannins - thanks to them, moss is stored for hundreds of years without rotting;
sphagnol - a phenolic compound that blocks the development of putrefactive bacteria, playing the role of a natural antiseptic;
polysaccharides (starch, glucose and some cellulose);
terpenes;
proteins and amino acids;
silicon.

Species of the genus Sphagnum (Shagnum)

Usually, the word "sphagnum" means marsh sphagnum (Shagnum palustre).
In swampy pine forests, s. compact (S. compactum) and s. oak forest (S. nemoreum).
On sphagnum bogs, typical species from. brown (S.fuscun), s. deceptive (S. fallax).
In lowland swamps, in alder forests and marshy groves - with. central (S.centrale), p. blunted (S.obtusum), p. fringed (S.fimbriatum).

Role in biocenoses and economic use

In nature, white mosses are the founders and main plant components of sphagnum bogs. Thanks to sphagnol, white mosses do not rot, but decompose very slowly, while creating an acidic environment.

On upland bogs, sphagnum forms a low-mineralized, but high-calorie peat. The percentage of ash in such peat does not exceed 6%, it is used as fuel, construction and thermal insulation material, chemical raw materials, as well as a substrate (or additive to the substrate) for growing flowers and crops.

In agriculture, dry sphagnum is also used as bedding for pets. In medicine, peat serves as an antiseptic and dressing material. Sphagnum extracts help in the treatment of rheumatism, intestinal diseases, skin infections caused by staphylococci.

Bryophytes are one of the divisions of spore plants, which occupies a special position in the system of this kingdom. Representatives have economic, medicinal value, find wide application and are important participants in food chains. In addition, they take part in the formation of marsh ecosystems.

Sphagnum: systematic position

According to their place in the system of the organic world, sphagnums occupy the following taxonomic position:

• Kingdom: Plants.
• Department: Bryophytes;
• Class, order and family - Sphagnum.
• Genus: Sphagnum.

The number of species reaches 120, of which the most widespread are such as:

• swamp sphagnum;
• protruding;
• brown;
• Magellanic;
• papillose;
• Girgenzon.

The structure of sphagnum has some features, which leaves an imprint on its use by humans. Let's consider this question in more detail.

The external structure of the plant

Probably everyone has seen a green loose mat of stems crowded at the top, which forms hummocks of swamps and swamps and floats on the surface of overgrown lakes. so this is sphagnum. A photo of this plant can be seen below.

Very nice juicy stems, repeatedly dissected and crowded up. Outside covered with a crust, which is several layers of cells. Sphagnum leaves are sessile, reed type. Those that are located on the stem are oblong and often solitary. And the leaves of the branches, on the contrary, are more crowded, bent at the top. In fact, they are almost scaly and hardly noticeable without special equipment. What is usually mistaken for leaves are the numerous branches from the main stem.

Like other mosses, sphagnum mosses lack roots. However, unlike relatives, they do not have rhizoids for attachment to the substrate. Interestingly, the lower the stem is viewed, the lighter it appears. Finally, at the base it completely loses its green color. This is due to the absence of the chlorophyll pigment in the cells, since these structures are no longer alive, but dead.

From such parts, settling to the bottom of the swamp, peat is subsequently formed. That is why sphagnum is often In general, the color of the plant is pale green, not bright. This is due to the fact that it is constantly saturated with a large amount of water. The question arises: "How does moss manage to store so much liquid in itself?" This is due to the features internal structure. Let's consider them.

The internal structure of sphagnum

From the inside, moss is formed by ordinary cells. Sphagnum leaves contain chlorophyll, as do stem structures. Therefore, photosynthesis is carried out by almost the entire surface of the body. The same happens with nutrition, that is, the absorption of water.

Green moss cells are connected to each other by the ends and form a structure resembling a network - this is the conducting system of the plant. The reproductive organs are sporangia, in which spores mature.

There is no conducting system of this kind. Instead, there are special cells. It is they who perform the functions of storing and absorbing water.

Special cells in the structure

Sphagnum cells are not all the same. The fact is that some of them have shells with a hole and a dead protoplast, that is, an empty cavity. The plant needs it in order to absorb a large number of moisture and keep it inside themselves in these hollow structures.

The structure of sphagnum allows it to fill with water in an amount 20-30 times its own weight. That is why in the habitats of these mosses it is always very humid, they literally float on the surface of the water.

When the plant is filled with moisture, its color is soft green. During a drought, it gradually turns white, eventually becoming completely snow-white.

Moss breeding

The structure of sphagnum includes specialized structures necessary for reproduction - sporangia. They, like all other mosses, are located on special stems in the apical part of the plant. They are a box with a lid in which the formation and maturation of spores takes place.

When the time comes for reproduction, small cells spill out and are carried by the wind. Once in a drop of water, they begin to germinate into a new plant. The lid of the sporangium opens spontaneously.

There is another way of reproduction that this plant carries out. Sphagnum is able to give vegetative parts for further independent existence. Most often this happens after the main stalk grows strongly in length, towering above the rest of the parts. At this point, the separation of the daughter plant occurs.

Special properties of sphagnum mosses

The photo of which can be seen in this article has a number of special properties due to the presence of special cells. It:

1. Hygroscopicity exceeding all known limits in plants. If we compare the ability to absorb moisture of cotton wool and sphagnum, then in moss it will be 6 times more! In addition, it is noteworthy that the distribution of water inside the body of the plant occurs absolutely evenly. Therefore, until all the existing cells are filled, the moss will not give up excess moisture. This allows you to use it as a supplement to the soil.
2. Breathability, which allows the soil with moss to be very light, loose and airy. This increased aeration has a positive effect on the growth and development of other plants in the ecosystem.
3. Sphagnum acids, which are part of the plant, allow it to moderately acidify the soil with hydrogen cations.
4. The rich material organic composition makes this plant special. Sphagnum has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as disinfectants.

What is the composition of these amazing mosses? You can name the most important connections:

• sphagnum acids;
• coumarins;
• sphagnol;
• terpenes;
• carbolic acid.

Due to this component composition, the plant itself is practically not exposed to either diseases or pests.

Places of growth

The main condition for growth this plant- the presence of sufficient moisture. After all, sphagnum moss, the photo of which is in the review, is very dependent on water during reproduction, like all spores. That is why it can be attributed to the main places of growth:

• temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere;
• european part of Russia;
• Siberia;
• South America.

The main ecosystem that this moss forms is raised bogs. Wherever such a plant settles, there is a gradual and inevitable swamping of the area.

Role in nature

The whole life of sphagnum is built on its ability to absorb moisture. Features of the internal and external structure, economic importance and scope, use for medical purposes - almost everything is explained by the composition and structure. This is also due to the role performed in nature.

The main thing is that the sphagnum, the photo of which we posted in the article, forms peat deposits. Due to the sphagnic acid and sphagnol that are part of the plant, the processes of decay and decomposition of the dead lower parts of the plant are extremely slow. This leads to the formation of peat layers. The action takes place slowly, about one meter per thousand years.

It is also important the property to cause swamping of the area. As a result, not only the vegetation cover changes, but the entire biogeocenosis as a whole, animal world, insects and other creatures.

Economic importance for humans

There are several main areas of application of this moss by humans.

Thus, it turns out that sphagnum peat moss is not only an interesting and valuable plant as a source of minerals, but also an invaluable storehouse medicines, a source of moisture and an aerator for other representatives of the flora. Its beautiful appearance is harmoniously combined with the spectacular characteristics of the internal structure and significance in nature and people's lives.

author Gorlacheva M. A., photo by the author

Sphagnum(Sphagnum), a genus of sphagnum, or peat (white), mosses. Includes 320 species. Mostly marsh mosses, growing in dense dense clusters, forming large cushions or continuous carpets on sphagnum bogs. Less commonly, sphagnum is found in moist forests. An upright soft stem 10-20 cm high with bundle-shaped branches and single-layer sphagnum leaves contain a large number of dead aquifers with pores that easily absorb water, which causes a high moisture capacity of sphagnum and contributes to rapid development raised bogs in places where these mosses appear. Sphagnum stems die off annually in the lower part, forming peat. The growth of the stem is continued by the apical branches.
(Large soviet encyclopedia)

Thanks to their unique properties sphagnum received wide use in indoor floriculture.

Sphagnum does not contain nutrients, is acidic (pH about 3.0). The ability of moss to absorb and retain water (some types of sphagnum absorb moisture up to 20 times their own weight) allows you to provide the necessary soil moisture. Chopped sphagnum is used as a component of an earthen substrate and to cover the soil surface (thus, the humidity of the air around the plants further increases). Moss also absorbs excess salts and can be easily replaced with fresh moss as it becomes saline.

Earth mixtures, including sphagnum, have high air and moisture permeability. The earth lump is moistened evenly, water stagnation is not formed. The substrate remains loose and light for a long time. Excellent for the formation of new roots in young plants. Sphagnum moss helps to form a slightly acidic environment in the soil, which is especially important for growing Gesneriaceae (saintpaulia). Both live and dry sphagnum can be used as a substrate component.

Excellent bactericidal properties of sphagnum are known. Thanks to the content it contains sphagnum, a special anti-putrefactive substance, sphagnum prevents the rotting of the root system of plants and the development of pathogenic microbes in the soil and on its surface.

For some plants, for example, for a number of epiphytes (in particular, orchids), sphagnum itself serves as an ideal substrate. Moss is used for rooting cuttings and young plants (finely chopped or rubbed through a sieve, without adding earth), as well as for seed germination. Aerial roots of various aroid vines can be wrapped in moss and sprayed to maintain the moisture they need.

To sterilize sphagnum, it is poured with boiling water for 3-5 minutes, then laid out, slightly wrung out, to dry on the windowsill. Dry sphagnum has many advantages - it retains moisture well and is breathable, and is also stored for a long time.

However, in my opinion, it is much more useful, and live moss looks more aesthetically pleasing. To keep the sphagnum alive, I keep it in water at a temperature of 45 degrees for 30 minutes (you can still treat it with "ronilon"), put it in plastic bags and store it in a cool place. Moss remains alive for three to four months. To increase the shelf life, moss can be frozen without any harm to it. An invaluable advantage of living moss is its antiseptic properties. According to my personal observations, everything grows better in live sphagnum.

Exists great amount recipes for earthen substrates using sphagnum. Here are some of them - personally tested and proved to be very good:

- FOR SAINTPAUL:

earth mixture from Canadian flower growers
Leafy soil - 1 part, fertile garden soil - 1 part, river sand- 1 part, chopped sphagnum moss - 1 part.

Earth mix from B.M. and T.N. Makuni
On a bucket of mixture: coarse-fibrous red peat - 2 parts, soddy land - 1 part, chopped sphagnum moss - 1 part, river sand - 0.5 parts, half a packet of Saintpaulia soil (2-2.5 liters), 1 tablespoon simple superphosphate, 1 tablespoon dolomite flour, 0.5 liters of crushed charcoal.
(According to the materials of the book "Saintpaulia - Uzambar violets", authors: B.M. Makuni, T.M. Klevenskaya)

- FOR GLOXINIA:

Take the land "Vermione" or the land "Garden of Miracles": "Begonia", "Saintpaulia" or "Rose". Add a glass of sand, a handful of chopped sphagnum, a teaspoon of fine charcoal, 1/2 teaspoon of dolomite flour and 1 teaspoon of Flower fertilizer to a bag of such land. If desired, perlite, vermiculite or simply foam chips "to taste" can be added to the mixture for greater friability.

- FOR ORCHIDS AND Cattleyas:

Pine bark, charcoal, a little sphagnum, finely chopped fern roots are also recommended. Down put a large rough bark, upstairs - medium. The substrate should fit under the base of the rhizome, but not cover it.

- Sphagnum for young orchids according to V.A. Bogdanov:

Sphagnum scald, cool, squeeze, spill full mineral fertilizer"Kemira Lux" (necessarily a twenty-gram package - there you need chemical composition) with a concentration of 0.5 g / l, squeeze lightly, keep in a closed plastic bag for 3-4 days. Transplant the orchid every 2 months into freshly prepared sphagnum until roots grow 5-7 cm long. After that, transplant the plant into pieces of pine bark.

Tips for using sphagnum from my gardening friends:

1. ... Moss can be put into the soil mixture, it can be laid on top to keep moisture longer, it can be put on the bottom of the pot when transplanting. Moss serves both as a disinfectant and as a baking powder. I also root cuttings in it, they do not rot in sphagnum.
Demina Natalia, Saratov

2. ... I use moss for orchid babies according to Bogdanov A.V. Yes, also - in a terrarium with tillandsias: live green moss grows there at the bottom, more for beauty.
Kudryashova Anna, Moscow

3. ... I use moss very simply - I add it to the substrate for orchids, and also spread it on top of the bark; I also fill the holes between the sticks of wooden baskets with moss.
Svetlana Glushkova, St. Petersburg

4. ... How delighted with the moss of anthuriums !!! Within a week, new air roots appeared. Live and pure sphagnum does not crumble, forms a loose, moisture-absorbing pillow.
Tvabelova Olga, Podolsk

5. ... I used the moss for another purpose: I put it on the bottom of the cellar under the potatoes. I read on the Internet that vegetables are better preserved this way. The cellar is on the balcony. Moss was needed so that if there is not enough moisture for vegetables, then the moss gives off moisture, and if there is a lot of moisture in the cellar, then the moss takes it into itself. Like this. The experience was a success, the vegetables are in order.
Vasilyeva Natalia, Moscow

6. …Scary tale: husband gave me last New Year large Dutch zamiokulkas, bought in a store. I was madly happy for the first two weeks - I wanted to get this flower for a long time. And new kidneys made their way from the gift, and everything seemed to be fine. Then I noticed that someone was crawling briskly on the surface of the soil in a pot! I began to look, and there - just no one. By that time, I was already going to transplant the flower, it seemed that I should have already acclimatized. She dug the ground - and there is the whole menagerie !!! I was just in shock: all possible creeping-biting infection plus a couple of fattened earthworms!
Zamioculcas has underground tubers, and while my copy was being transported and sold, some of the tubers rotted, and in the Dutch greenhouse land all the larvae quickly turned into elephants on this rot. Wearing rubber gloves and feeling the deepest disgust at the constant swarming of something in the ground, I washed the roots and tubers of my flower, which had not yet had time to eat. To save the gift, I had to cut the bush into pieces and start breeding four new zamiokulkas instead of one. Then I also thought that the plant was dirty, that it would constantly rot ... Nothing like that! I read in a smart book that quite a lot of chopped sphagnum is added to the soil and decided that this is the way out: it is an excellent antiseptic. In short, the ground was coolly kneaded with moss, and now I have four brand new and clean zamiokulkas - they all sprouted and make me incredibly happy.
Komarova Vika, Moscow

Thus, high quality sphagnum and pine bark collected in an ecologically clean place, contribute to the growth of healthy and beautiful plants.

Gorlacheva Margarita Arkadievna
www.moxsfagnum.narod.ru

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Sphagnum moss (Sphagnum) is a perennial that has another name - peat moss. Moss grows in swampy areas, forms vast areas - sphagnum bogs. In Russia and Ukraine, there are about 40 species of sphagnum, while more than 300 are known in the world. Habitat - tundra, forest or mountainous areas, much less common on the plains. The plant has underdeveloped roots, so over time they die off and turn into peat. The upper part continues to grow and develop. When dried, sphagnum can absorb a lot of moisture - 20 times its own weight. It is thanks to this opportunity that he got his name (“sphagnos” in Greek means “sponge”). The plant has a light green (light green) hue, when dry it becomes almost white. Hence another name - white moss.

Glade of sphagnum moss in a forest area.

Sphagnum moss is often used by flower growers. It is used as a component for the soil, as well as in independent form for rooting cuttings or planting epiphytic plants, such as orchids. Three main properties of the plant should be distinguished:

• perfectly absorbs water;
• passes oxygen;
• unaffected by bacteria.

Hygroscopicity is due to the structure of the plant. The stems and leaves of sphagnum consist of hollow cells, a kind of reservoirs into which water is absorbed. The hygroscopicity of sphagnum is 6 times higher than that of cotton wool. In addition, moisture is evenly distributed in it. This suggests that the use of moss in the composition of the planting soil will help maintain a constant and uniform level of humidity.

A pot of gardenia in sphagnum.

Breathability is achieved thanks to the same cells-reservoirs. Soil mixtures containing sphagnum are light and loose, which has a beneficial effect on the health of the plant's root system.

Scientists working in the field of briology (the science that studies mosses) have proven that sphagnum moss is completely immune to disease. It has disinfectant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sphagnum contains antibiotics, bactericides and coumarins. All these substances are natural antiseptics, they are used in the medical industry. And the use in floriculture allows you to forget about the decay of cuttings during reproduction.

Another important for indoor plants the property of sphagnum is the ability to acidify the soil - this prevents the reproduction of various kinds of bacteria. For some flowers, such as violets, this feature is indispensable. After all, it is in acidic soil they bloom more abundantly and longer.

Application in crop production

As mentioned above, the properties of moss are indispensable in floriculture. It can and should be used for breeding:

• violets and gloxinia;
• royal and ordinary begonias;
• orchids and monster;
• dracaena and dieffenbachia;
• fat women and cordilins.

In general, this list can include all indoor flowers who prefer high humidity. Sphagnum moss is indispensable for those who are often on the road, and there is no one to entrust watering flowers to. Moss will do the job perfectly, you just need to wet it and overlay the plant. So the soil will be wet for a long time.

Violet overlaid with sphagnum to retain moisture.

Dried sphagnum is used by gardeners in summer cottages. They cover plants that do not tolerate frost. Because not all garden flowers need acidic soil, moss is harvested in spring, leaving only where it will really be useful. For example, in areas with asters, chrysanthemums or tulips. Some vegetable crops, such as potatoes, carrots and radishes, also love acidified soil.

Collection and storage

Harvesting of sphagnum moss falls on the period from April to October. But even here there are nuances. For example, collection in early spring may be complicated by the presence melt water in those areas where moss grows, in July - blood-sucking insects. Rainy October can also derail all plans. That's why best time, according to experts, is August or September. Especially if the weather is right - dry and warm.

Moss is collected in two ways:

• is extracted completely, even the root - get large quantity, but be prepared to spend time on a thorough cleaning;
• top part cut with a knife - the mass is less, but the moss is cleaner.

In the campaign for sphagnum, the presence of rubber boots, gloves and plastic bags. Just in case, you can take a bactericidal patch with you, since cuts on your hands are not ruled out when working with a knife.

Freshly harvested sphagnum without roots.

If you need live moss, it is better to spread it in the shade, distributing even layer along the surface. Let the wind dry the sphagnum a little - it should be damp, but not wet! To all beneficial features preserved, you need to store moss in plastic bags in a cold room, you can even in the cold. When needed, it is brought into warm room and he comes alive.

Sphagnum moss also grows at home. To grow it yourself, you need to cut off the green part and place it in a tray with wet peat. Be sure to water daily.

The use of sphagnum in other industries

As mentioned above, the properties of moss allow it to be used for medicinal purposes. During the Great Patriotic War, it was used instead of cotton, applied to wounds and burns. He not only stopped the blood and pulled out the pus, but also promoted healing.

Dried moss is also successfully used in construction. wooden buildings. It is used as a pillow for logs. This makes it possible to keep the heat in the room and get rid of pests that often "occupy" the wood.

Dry sphagnum for warming log buildings.

Beekeepers make hive insulation from pressed dry sphagnum. And the bottom is lined with live moss for disinfection. In animal husbandry, sphagnum moss has also found application. It is used as bedding for small rodents or as litter for the toilet.

To save yourself from the hassle associated with collecting, you can purchase it in specialized stores or order it online. The cost will depend on the weight of the item. So, a 70 gram bag of sphagnum will cost you 80 - 100 rubles. Bulk bags of 50 - 100 liters cost from 1000 to 2500 rubles. Suppliers usually give good discounts to wholesale buyers.

Sphagnum (peat moss) is a swamp plant, a genus of moss from which peat is formed. Due to its low thermal conductivity, sphagnum is used in the construction industry as an insulating material. When dry, sphagnum mosses can absorb about 20 times their own weight in water, which is 4 times the capacity of absorbent cotton. Thanks to this, the moss got its name - "sphagnos", which in Greek means "sponge".

There are several main groups of mosses, one of them is green mosses. In many forests it is very common to find green “cuckoo flax” moss, it is very brightly colored, has a bright green color, and you will not confuse it with, for example, sphagnum moss.

Sphagnum in nature is more lightly colored than green mosses and has a light green color, and when dried it is almost white, which is why it is called white moss.

Mosses are found on all continents of our planet, but most of the species still live in the northern hemisphere. For example, sphagnum moss is found from the subtropics to the polar regions, but most of all in the temperate zone. It is best to look for sphagnum in a raised bog.

Raised swamp is formed during stagnation surface water on flat depressions of watersheds. The water of such a swamp is sharply acidic, tea-colored, rich in humus components, poor in minerals. Vegetation characteristic of raised bogs is wild rosemary, cotton grass, cranberry and sphagnum moss, in the north - dwarf birch. Raised bogs often have a convex shape, because moss grows faster in the middle part of the bog.

If you get to the raised swamp, then you will not confuse sphagnum with any other plant. It covers huge areas with a very soft bright green carpet. But do not fall on it, because there is water below and you can get pretty wet.

Unlike many other mosses, sphagnum has no roots, so it grows very densely and one plant supports another. If you take one branch of sphagnum, you will see that only the upper part of the plant is alive. Next comes the whitish part, and the lower part of the moss gradually dies off. Indeed, sphagnum moss grows every year at the top, and the lower part dies off, but does not rot, because below, firstly, there is not enough oxygen, and secondly, the moss itself releases substances that prevent decay, which have bactericidal properties. It is these substances that are mainly used and used in medicine. So, the lower part does not die off, but forms a substance called peat.

Many people know what peat is. Firstly, peat is a fuel, and it is primarily used for this purpose, but peat is also known to gardeners and gardeners. It is added to the soil, seedlings are grown in it. And also peat is a chemical raw material from which a variety of substances are produced, including medical alcohol.

Useful properties of sphagnum moss

From a medical point of view, sphagnum has three very important properties. Firstly, it is highly hygroscopic, that is, the ability to absorb moisture. For comparison: the same volume of sphagnum and cotton wool will absorb different amounts of moisture. If you measure these data, it turns out that sphagnum absorbs 20-25 times more moisture than cotton wool. The second property of sphagnum is its breathability, even when wet, this moss passes air very well, while cotton wool, for example, sticks together and forms a kind of crust. And the third property is antibacterial, but first things first.

The ability to absorb a huge amount of moisture is due to the cellular structure of this moss. If you look at a leaf of moss under a microscope, you can see that in addition to the usual green cells that contain chlorophyll and in which, just like in any other green plant, photosynthesis occurs, there are special air cells. They will be dead and their shells will be quite dense. If you take dry moss and examine it, then these cells will be filled with air, but when we soak it, these cells are filled with water and are able to hold a huge amount of moisture.

High hygroscopicity allows the use of sphagnum as a dressing. It absorbs huge amounts of blood, pus and other fluids. Moreover, it was used not only during the war, but now doctors are increasingly resorting to this remedy. But unlike cotton wool, for example, sphagnum also has antibacterial and disinfecting properties. The antibacterial, disinfectant and even antifungal properties of sphagnum are due to the substances that make up its composition. First of all, it is a phenol-like substance called ‘sphagnol’. In other plants, this substance was not isolated, only in sphagnum, and, of course, humic or sphagnic acids that exhibit antibiotic properties.

For a long time they tried to find out what is the best solvent for these substances, how best to extract them from plants. We used a variety of substances - water, ethanol, ether, but found that the best solvent is ordinary distilled water. It is this property of water to work as a solvent and absorb all the useful substances contained in sphagnum, which makes it possible for some experts to assert that the very clean water in the forest is swamp water. Therefore, when you find yourself in a forest near a raised swamp and find dark, unpleasant-looking water, do not be afraid, most likely you can drink it, but it is advisable to boil it thoroughly before that.

The bactericidal properties of sphagnum can be used not only for cuts, but also for burns and frostbite.

Many people know what to do in case of a fracture, say, of a limb. It is necessary to apply a splint and transport the patient to a medical facility. But few people know that the tire cannot be placed directly on the body. Some kind of softening pad is needed and in this case sphagnum is ideal. In addition to softening possible impacts and friction between the tire and the skin, it also acts as a disinfectant if there is any surface damage.

There is evidence that sphagnum has been used as a dressing since the 11th century, and possibly even earlier. But even in our 21st century, modern medicine comes to the conclusion that sphagnum is more effective tool than, for example, cotton wool and the production of sphagnum-gauze tampons is resumed. For this, the sphagnum is additionally sterilized and impregnated with a solution boric acid which further enhances its antibacterial properties. But at home, you can use non-sterilized sphagnum.

A huge number of various microorganisms fly around us in the air, including staphylococcus aureus. So it is safe and harmless for us, but as soon as our immunity weakens a little, it immediately sits on our skin and begins to multiply, thereby bringing a lot of trouble. How to avoid it, and how to deal with it? Peat water is ideal for this. Simply wring out the moss collected in the swamp and wash the affected areas with this water. Or apply wet moss to the place where you have a similar infection.

In addition, you can take a bath with sphagnum. To do this, the sphagnum is cut into small pieces, poured hot water 70 - 80 ° C, allow to cool and then pour the infusion into the bath. But, keep in mind that taking such a bath increases sweating and after that you need to wrap yourself in a warm bathrobe or lie under the covers.

The antibacterial and antifungal properties of sphagnum can also be used to combat fungal skin diseases. A great tool is sphagnum insoles. You can make them yourself by simply putting some dried moss in your shoes. Firstly, the insole will be soft, comfortable and sit on the leg, in addition, sphagnum will help to cope with increased sweating and avoid unpleasant odors.

The use of sphagnum moss in construction

The special properties of sphagnum make it possible to use this moss not only in medicine, but also in many other areas. human activity, for example, in construction. Surely everyone knows that during the construction wooden houses you need a heater that is placed between the logs. Now on construction markets There is a huge selection of a wide variety of heaters, including synthetic ones. But if you want your house, bath to stand for many years, then it is best to take sphagnum. Firstly, this moss has a bactericidal property, and the log house will last much longer and will not rot. Secondly, if you are building a bathhouse, then the hygroscopic properties of this moss allow you to smooth out changes in humidity, and this will also help the bathhouse to stand for much longer.

The use of sphagnum in horticulture

Sphagnum moss is not only an assistant in construction, but, one might say, the dream of a grower, especially a lazy one. For example, if you leave home for a long period in the summer, you can put sphagnum soaked in water in flower pots. It will gradually release moisture into the soil and this will keep your plants from wilting. In addition, finely chopped sphagnum is usually mixed with the ground and the finished mixture is used for planting indoor plants. Again, this will allow the ground to stay moist longer.

In addition, sphagnum can also be used for rooting cuttings of indoor plants, as well as some country bushes or shrubs. Sphagnum in this case is moistened or wet sphagnum is taken from nature, finely-finely torn and mixed with the ground. After that, cuttings are planted in this moistened soil. They need to be slightly deepened and left to root. Experiments show that the number of rotting roots with this cultivation will be much less than with any other method.

Most often, sphagnum is used by lovers of orchids and violets. Sometimes even in flower shops sphagnum moss is sold in small packages. For what? Firstly, it is able to acidify the soil, and this necessary condition for the normal cultivation of violets. The more acidic the environment, the brighter and prettier the border on the leaves of these plants will be. Orchids, on the other hand, have aerial roots, with the help of which they absorb moisture not from the soil, like other plants, but from the air. These roots must be constantly moistened, because in the tropics where these flowers grow, it is very high humidity. But how can this be achieved in our ordinary city apartment, when our air humidity is always below normal? In this case, the roots of orchids are entangled or covered with fresh sphagnum, which is constantly sprayed with water. If you resorted to this remedy, then you will not need to spray these aerial roots five times a day, it is enough to do this only once.

Dry sphagnum moss can also be used on suburban area, for example, in order to cover plants that are afraid of frost. It will perfectly keep heat and will allow your pets not to freeze in the winter. In addition, sphagnum gives such a mineral as peat, which is an excellent fertilizer. Surely, all summer residents who plant seedlings in the spring are familiar peat pots, in which you can plant your seedlings, and then, without transplanting, transfer the plant to the soil together with the pot. The pot will not only rot quickly, but will also give additional fertilizer to the growing roots.

The use of sphagnum in beekeeping and animal husbandry

it amazing plant may be of interest to amateur beekeepers. For example, not many people know that it is possible to make heaters for hives for the winter from pressed dry sphagnum so that the bees do not freeze. And in order to maintain a constant level of humidity inside the hive, moss is used, which is dried in air at room temperature. If such moss is put down under the hive, then it will take away excess moisture and at the same time additionally disinfect the space, which will help to avoid various unpleasant diseases in bees. And, most importantly, with increased dryness of the air, it will begin to give off moisture, and this will allow the honey in the combs not to sugar.

Sphagnum moss can also be used as pet bedding. Moreover, these can be those animals that live in your apartment, for example, in a cage (rats, hamsters, guinea pigs). Sphagnum absorbs odors very well, and in this regard, it can also be used as a filler for your pets' home toilets. Sphagnum can be used as bedding not only for pets, but also for fairly large agricultural ones. In this case, the sphagnum left after work, mixed with the droppings of these animals, will be the best fertilizer.

Collection and storage of sphagnum moss

To collect sphagnum you do not need any additional technical devices- only hands, possibly gloves and a container where you will put the collected sphagnum. Moss is taken completely from its lower parts to the very top and folded into some kind of bag in which you will carry it to the place of drying. Before drying it, you must first squeeze the sphagnum. The first spin is done by hand, after which the sphagnum is laid out on mesh trays. Drying is done in the open air - in the breeze and in the sun.

Unlike many other medicinal plants, sphagnum can be dried in the sun, it is not at all necessary to hide it in the shade and under the roof. Sphagnum dries for a long time, but it is still not worth using artificial drying, because in this case it will dry unevenly. But the degree of drying depends on how you plan to use it in the future. If it is planned to use for medical purposes, then drying can be almost complete (to a crunch, brittleness). In this case, sphagnum can be stored both in a plastic bag and wrapped in plain paper. If drying is carried out for decorative purposes, for floriculture, then in this case the shoots should remain as long as possible; it is not worth breaking them, and it is for this reason that drying should not be done completely, so that the sphagnum remains slightly damp. It is best to store it wrapped in paper, this will allow it to maintain the degree of humidity characteristic of the surrounding air.

The history of the introduction of sphagnum into the official medical industry is interesting. At the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries, sphagnum was packed and sent to all the provinces of Russia. Together with these packages, doctors and paramedics received a special questionnaire in which they had to evaluate the properties of this new dressing material. According to the results, it was revealed that almost all doctors highly appreciated sphagnum, its hygroscopicity, friability and its antibacterial properties.

The properties of sphagnum are really unique, and the plant, in general, is not rare, so the next time you walk through the forest, be sure to collect some of this moss for yourself, bring it home and dry it. You will surely find a use for it.

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