Moss sphagnum application. How did people use sphagnum moss in the past? Features of the structure, properties and use of sphagnum mosses

Sphagnum moss is well known to flower lovers and not only. It is also used in medicine, animal husbandry, construction. Other names for sphagnum - white moss, peat moss, sphagnum. This plant is involved in maintaining the balance of the forest ecosystem. It is from it that peat reserves are formed. Moss occupies a certain place in the food chain.

Where does sphagnum grow and what does it look like?

White moss lives in wetlands forest areas. It can be found in different places the globe, but it is more common in the northern territories. Translated from Greek, sphagnum sounds like " natural sponge". This name is not accidental, it is caused by the hygroscopic properties of the plant. Compared to other mosses, sphagnum has a much lighter color.

This moss has no roots. Dying off, over time, sphagnum is converted into peat. The processes of decay do not affect it due to the antibacterial properties inherent in this plant. Some do not know why sphagnum is called white moss, and the thing is that when it dries, the plant turns white. During the growth of moss, low erect shoots are formed, which form a dense cushion, not exceeding 5 cm. The plant in the description is represented by several varieties. For example, bulging sphagnum forms higher and loose curtains.

Sphagnum does not have a single stem, but consists of phyllidia and caulidia, which absorb mineral salts and water, thus receiving nutrition. The role of rhizoids is performed by young sections of the stem and leaves. Over time, their suction function is lost, and they only help the swamp moss to stay in the substrate. Spores mature in special boxes that form at the ends of the upper branches.

If we consider the structure of sphagnum under a microscope, its leaves consist of 2 types of cells. Green and living contain chloroplasts that are involved in photosynthesis. Dead cells are large and colorless formations. Their role is to retain large amounts of moisture. The shoots of the plant have an openwork pattern and give an airy appearance sphagnum. During the rainy season, moss absorbs water and then gradually releases it into environment thus maintaining the water balance of the ecosystem.

Reproduction of the "natural sponge"

Scientists have long established how sphagnum reproduces. Reproduction occurs by spores and vegetatively. The reproduction rate of marsh sphagnum largely depends on the composition of the soil. The “sponge” spreads most quickly in moist grassy areas with low soil acidity, near trees, near swamps. The most productive way is reproduction by spores:

Mechanism vegetative propagation only effective over short distances. In this case, moss is propagated by sections of the stem.

Areas of use

"Natural sponge" is widely used in various economic areas. The collection of sphagnum is carried out in some places in industrial scale. However, it is often harvested for personal needs. It is interesting to know where sphagnum moss can come in handy, what it is used for:

For self-collection of raw materials, you can go to the nearest forest with wetlands, where it is not difficult to meet white moss. The process of collecting and subsequent storage of the "natural sponge" does not present any particular difficulties.

How to collect and store

Soft forest moss does not require the use of any special devices. It is collected with bare hands or wearing gloves. An adult can easily pull moss out of the ground. After harvesting, the sphagnum must be squeezed out to remove excess moisture and spread out in the sun to dry. If you plan to use the plant in decorative purposes, it is not wrung out and dried for a shorter time.

When harvesting, it is better not to pull out the plant completely, but to cut off the top of the pillow with scissors. Then the remnants of moss in the ground will continue to grow, releasing new branches, and it will gradually recover. If the plant is intended to be used as a substrate, it must be doused with boiling water to kill the insects living in it.

It is better not to dry sphagnum in special household dryers, as in this case it will dry unevenly. The collected raw materials can be stored in the freezer.

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 single genus Shagnum, uniting about 350 species (320 according to other sources). 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 conifers 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 steppe zone;
mountainous regions (alpine and subalpine belt).

Morphological features

All types of sphagnum have morphological features, inherent only 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.

Feature sphagnum - the absence of rhizoids in adult plants that replace moss roots. In moss germinating from spores, rhizoids are formed, but soon die along with bottom sphagnum.

The structure of the sphagnum stem is simple: in the center of the core, inner layer consists of elongated cells with thickened walls (prosenchyma), and the outside of 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.

moss sphagnum, as a component of soil mixtures for indoor flowers, is well known and widely used experienced flower growers. For beginner gardeners, sphagnum is a mysterious ingredient, and therefore optional. This is partly true if you do not make earthen mixtures yourself, but use ready-made ones. There is often sphagnum moss already present. But is it really necessary? And is it possible to do without sphagnum? In order to answer these questions, you need to understand.

What is sphagnum moss and what are its properties

This is marsh moss, and can be found in old raised bogs in almost all regions with a temperate and cool climate. Although in middle lane You have to try very hard to find such a swamp. It is quite easy to distinguish sphagnum from other mosses - it is white. Although this is not entirely true, White color it acquires in a dried state, while the sphagnum moss growing in the swamp has a light green color, which also makes it easily distinguishable from other rich green mosses. In the northern regions, such swamps (white bogs) are found everywhere and it is there that sphagnum moss is mined. industrial way. What for? The fact is that sphagnum moss, in addition to excellent hygroscopic properties, also has other, no less remarkable properties. It is used in construction as thermal insulation, in medicine as a plant with excellent bactericidal properties. There was a use of sphagnum in perfumery. And this is not all areas of its application.

The use of sphagnum in floriculture

Whole complex unique properties flower growers appreciated this moss.

First of all - hygroscopicity. It is difficult to find equal to sphagnum moss in terms of ability to accumulate moisture. After all, even in comparison with cotton (cotton wool), it surpasses it by 20 (!) Times. Therefore, if you add it to the earth mixture, it will remain moist for much longer. In this case, there will be no danger of waterlogging, since, having accumulated a large number of moisture, sphagnum moss gives it evenly, as the earth dries up. Keep the soil moist flower pot, you can not only add moss to the ground, but simply spread it on the surface of the earth. This, among other things, will also help.

By adding sphagnum moss to soil mix, You will not only increase its moisture capacity, but also protect the roots of the plant from decay, fungal diseases. Its antiseptic properties simply will not allow them to develop. It has been observed that plants whose roots were injured during transplantation recover much faster and easier in soil containing sphagnum moss.

For many indoor plants this moss is not only an antiseptic or a moisture accumulator, but also a regulator (pH). Added to the soil in sufficient quantities, sphagnum moss will make it more acidic, which will appeal to violets, and many other houseplants. Sphagnum is also an integral part.

In addition to all of the above, chopped sphagnum is an excellent material for and.

Harvesting and storage of sphagnum

If in your area there is a suitable swamp on which this moss grows, then be sure to prepare it, you will not regret it. This is very easy to do and no special tools are required. All its parts are used, so you do not need to limit yourself to plucking the tops, take it completely. Before drying the sphagnum, squeeze it thoroughly from moisture and, if possible, clean it of unnecessary debris (leaves of trees, needles, twigs, etc.). You can go further in two ways. If you need "live" sphagnum moss, then it can be frozen in freezer(or freezer). It tolerates freezing very well and comes to life after defrosting. But much more often dried moss is enough for our purposes. To dry sphagnum, it is absolutely not necessary to create special conditions, just spread it out in the sun. Such drying will not affect its properties in any way. Sphagnum moss dries for a long time, but it is not necessary to dry it completely. It all depends on the purpose for which you prepare it. If it will be used as a humidifier, then you can not bring it to a state of brittleness. If you plan to simply add moss to the earth mixture, then you can grind it first. So the sphagnum moss will dry out faster, and it will be easier to use it. Given the high hygroscopicity of sphagnum, it is desirable to store it in a dry place and in good packaging.

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Photo - this is the answer to the question - where does sphagnum moss grow? And where to buy sphagnum moss can be found below?

There are thousands of types of mosses. These plants differ from each other in color and texture (on a photo), but they are all non-vascular, which means that they do not have structures such as leaves and flowers. Mosses also do not produce seeds, they reproduce by spores that are dispersed by the wind. Mosses are extremely hardy and can be found growing in extreme cold conditions. The most common type of moss is sphagnum.

It is relatively easy to grow moss on various objects. There are a number of basic techniques that can be used for moss seedlings, ranging from creating a spore mix and a top dressing that you can draw on. images on the surface of stone, slabs and wooden benches, before transplanting the finished pieces of moss "carpet" into shady areas in your garden. Keep in mind that sphagnum moss grows slowly.

Some companies where can i buy sphagnum, sell it in sheets or in boxes with turf. A sheet of moss has the advantage that outwardly it looks like finished corner the garden that makes it the best choice for impatient gardeners. When transplanting, make sure the soil is firm, acidic and moist. Capillary watering will keep the moss moist but not soggy. You can also transplant moss from other parts of the garden, or politely ask for moss from someone else's garden.

Photo (picture) - this is the answer to the question - where does sphagnum moss grow? Where will he buy? Of course in Moscow! Not in the swamp!

First select the moss on picture on the Internet or a book that you find attractive. Try to match the selected species to the climatic area, where you are planning grow sphagnum moss. If you want to grow moss on rock or paving slabs, look at moss that grows on rocks. If you are interested in some exotic species, consult with experts - is it possible to grow it in your conditions.

Ordinary moss that grows in the nearest swamp or wet forest can be planted in your area in a peculiar way:

Collect a handful of moss, shaking off as much dirt as possible in the process. Add moss to a blender along with half a teaspoon of sugar and one cup of kefir, beer, or yogurt. Mix everything so that the moss is ground. The resulting mixture of spores and nutrients distribute there where you want to grow moss, ideally somewhere cool, shady, and damp. If you want moss that looks more like fluffy paint, add a small amount of clay. If you will be growing sphagnum in soil, make sure the soil is acidic. Noticeable moss growth will usually appear within a few weeks.

Moss can be a great addition to a garden. Nice green color, will persist throughout all seasons as long as the moss has enough soil acidity. You can also make a "moss garden" by showing a row interesting varieties sphagnum on small area. Other gardeners like to use moss as an accent, as it often matures the garden, especially when grown on poles, arbors, artificial slides, and similar decorative items.

Knowing how people used sphagnum moss in the past, you can successfully put this information into practice. It has long been known that it was nature that gave us the best for housekeeping and maintaining health.

Definition

Moss) is a genus of mosses that live in upland and transitional swamps. Top part plants annually increases, and the bottom dies off. When almost does not rot and serves to form peat. This is due to the presence of carbolic acid in the body of sphagnum, which is a strong antiseptic.

Sphagnum usually appears in places with humid environment. Due to its ability to absorb and retain moisture, the accumulation of such moss leads to waterlogging. At the same time, the plant has a number of properties that make it invaluable in the economy. To date, there is a huge amount of information about how people used sphagnum moss in the past.

Application in construction

Due to its low thermal conductivity, such moss was actively used in construction. So, a special powder or plates were made from it, which were used in the construction of walls. But do not think that this technology is a thing of the past. It is quite possible to use it today, because sphagnum has a number of undeniable advantages before modern building materials:

Sphagnum is an indispensable component in the preparation of earthen mixtures for indoor plants. The fact is that when dry, moss absorbs water 20 times its own weight. Thus, the earth remains moist longer and systematically nourishes the roots of plants. If you're going away for a while but aren't sure your neighbors will conscientiously water your plants, make sure they're planted in soil mixed with finely chopped sphagnum.

Use in animal husbandry

How did people use sphagnum moss in the past? This plant has played an important role in almost all spheres of human life. So, sphagnum has always served as a good bedding for pets. And the bactericidal qualities prevented the spread of livestock diseases. In addition, in barns where sphagnum is used, there will never be an unpleasant smell.

Appreciated beneficial features sphagnum and beekeepers. Moss bedding is placed under the hives to insulate and absorb excess moisture. In addition, sphagnum will disinfect the air, which will prevent the spread of diseases that are dangerous for bees.

Use in medicine

The use of sphagnum moss in medicine is due to its properties:

• good hygroscopicity, which means the ability to quickly absorb moisture (several times better than the usual cotton wool);
• good breathability (even when wet);
• antibacterial properties.

All of the above characteristics make sphagnum an excellent dressing material. For the treatment of wounds, this moss was used in ancient times, and in wartime, this material saved more than one life. Here are some more ways to use sphagnum in medicine:

• treatment of frostbite and burns;
• splinting (sphagnum acts as a layer that protects the skin);
• treatment of foot and nail fungus (special moss insoles are used for this);
• treatment of psoriasis and others skin diseases infectious nature (moss insist in hot water, and then take a bath with the addition of this remedy);
• fight against staphylococcal lesions (you need to wash the wound with liquid squeezed out after collecting sphagnum).

Moss sphagnum: use in the garden

Avid gardeners and gardeners have long appreciated the benefits of sphagnum. This moss contributes to the normal development of young plants, as well as the restoration of "sick" specimens. And, of course, gardeners could not fail to note the hygroscopic properties of sphagnum. Moss helps maintain normal soil moisture even in extreme heat. By accumulating moisture during rain or watering, sphagnum gradually releases it as the soil dries.

Conclusion

An undeservedly forgotten plant is sphagnum moss. Using it in various fields life activity is becoming popular again. So, in medical circles they talk about the release of dressings based on it. Also, this moss can bring considerable profit to builders. In the meantime, livestock breeders and gardeners actively and successfully use sphagnum in their activities.