sphagnum

[ sfag-nuh m ]
/ ˈsfæg nəm /

noun

any soft moss of the genus Sphagnum, occurring chiefly in bogs, used for potting and packing plants, for dressing wounds, etc.

Origin of sphagnum

1745–55; < New Latin, alteration of Greek sphágnos a moss

Words nearby sphagnum

sphacelous, sphacelus, sphaeristerium, sphaero-, sphagnous, sphagnum, sphairee, sphalerite, sphecid, sphen-, sphene

Example sentences from the Web for sphagnum

British Dictionary definitions for sphagnum

sphagnum
/ (ˈsfæɡnəm) /

noun

any moss of the genus Sphagnum, of temperate bogs, having leaves capable of holding much water: layers of these mosses decay to form peat Also called: peat moss, bog moss

Derived forms of sphagnum

sphagnous, adjective

Word Origin for sphagnum

C18: from New Latin, from Greek sphagnos a variety of moss

Scientific definitions for sphagnum

sphagnum
[ sfăg′nəm ]

See peat moss.