Definition of "sphagnum" [‖Sphag•num]

• Any of various pale or ashy mosses of the genus Sphagnum, the decomposed remains of which form peat. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Potting mixes often contain sphagnum peat moss from bogs in Canada or Ireland."
• "It is very surprising to find certain relict habitats related to the northern European freshwater ecosystems, such as sphagnum peat bogs, and birch (Betula pendula) copses."
• "I have an extremely vague recollection of Jerry in some interview or other mentioning "The Nursery Frieze," the Gorey work consisting of a long series of animals of indeterminate species, each uttering a single, odd word, like "sphagnum" ... "orrery" ... deadsongs. vue.168"