peat moss

peat moss

n.

1. Any of various mosses of the genus Sphagnum, growing in very wet places.

2. The partly carbonized remains of these plants, used as a mulch and plant food.

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peat moss

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of various mosses, esp sphagnum, that grow in wet places in dense masses and decay to form peat Also called bog moss See also sphagnum

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peat moss

Any of various mosses of the genus Sphagnum, growing in very wet places, especially bogs, around the world. The leaves of peat moss have large dead cells surrounded by smaller living ones that contain chloroplasts. The walls of the dead cells are perforated and readily absorb water, up to 20 times their dry weight. The walls also contain phenol compounds that resist decay and have antiseptic properties. Peat moss releases hydrogen ions that increase the acidity of the water in bogs. Because of its ability to absorb liquids, peat moss is sometimes used as diaper material by traditional peoples and was once used in making bandages. Peat moss is now used primarily to increase the water-holding capacity of soil. Also called sphagnum. See more at bog.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

peat moss - any of various pale or ashy mosses of the genus Sphagnum whose decomposed remains form peat bog moss, sphagnum, sphagnum moss moss - tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants genus Sphagnum - a large genus constituting the order Sphagnales: atypical mosses of temperate bogs with leaves that can hold much water