Bot. Pl. sphagna, -ums. [mod.L., f. Gr. σφάγνος a kind of moss.]
1. A genus of mosses growing in boggy or swampy places; bog-moss, peat-moss; also, one or other of the species or plants composing this genus.
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., s.v., The sphagna are divided into two orders, the one comprehending the branched kinds, and the other the unbranched ones.
1839. Lindley, Introd. Bot. (ed. 3), 547. The only case of undoubtedly perforated parenchyma with which I am acquainted is in Sphagnum.
1857. Henfrey, Bot., 443. The Sphagna have antheridia like those of Jungermannia.
1880. Bessey, Botany, 351. The adult plant-body in this class, which includes, besides the Sphagnums, all the true Mosses, is always a leafy stem.
attrib. 1839. Lindley, Introd. Bot. (ed. 3), 547. The circular spaces in Sphagnum leaves are openings.
1857. T. Moore, Handbk. Brit. Ferns (ed. 3), 27. On this a thin layer of sphagnum moss should be spread.
1890. Science-Gossip, XXVI. 60. In the far-off bogs and sphagnum swamps of North Wales.
2. The mossy substance of which plants of this genus are composed.
1840. Florist’s Jrnl. (1846), I. 208. Covered over with dry sphagnum, or bog moss.
1863. Lyell, Antiq. Man, 9. The lowest stratum consists of swamp-peat composed chiefly of moss or sphagnum.
1877. W. H. Dall, Tribes Ext. N.W., 80. A saucer or dish of stone or clay, with a wick, usually of sphagnum.
