Species profile
Last updated: 31.05.2026
Sphagnum capillifolium (Ehrh.) Hedw.
Syn.: Sphagnum nemoreum
Reproductive morphology
Polyecious
Chromosomes
19
Taxonomic group
Section Acutifolia
Probably also in Temperate South America (Am.6)
Identification
Diagnostic characters
Macroscopic
Small to moderate sized plants with compact and slender appearance.
Capitulum is rounded / hemispherical.
Microscopic
Stem:
- Stem leaves: Hyaline cells S shaped, fibrillouse in upper half Branch stem: Branch leaves:
Special characteristics
Stem leaf apices somewhat pointier than the ones of S. rubellum. S. rubellum also has a flatter capitulum and the red branch can be seen through the less densely arranged leaves. Branch leaves of S. rubellum are arranged in 5-ranked rows, the ones of S. capillifolium aren't.
Habitat
Often together with:
- S. fuscum
- S. russowii
- S. angustifolium
Taxonomy
Distribution regions
Distribution Map
The demarcation of regions follows Margadant & Florschütz (1967), adapted with modifications from Sjögren (2001). · View source map on uMap
Comparison
Similar species
Visual reference
Images for identification
Main Image
Macroscopic Sphagnum and Habitat Photos
Branch Leaf
Stem Leaf
Stem Cross Section
Stem / Stem Pores & Cell Wall
Community Science
iNaturalist Observations
1,131
research-grade observations
🔬 Microscopy Observations
174 observations with microscopy
From the Sphagnum with Slides project — community-submitted microscopy images for identification.
View microscopy observations →
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