by Lime Green Sphere

Created on: February 28, 2008   Last Updated: March 01, 2008

There are about 350 species of peat moss native to North America. In the past, Native peoples of North America used peat moss for medicinal purposes and as a fiber product. This article will address the range, identification, food uses, medicinal uses, and warnings associated with peat moss.

Range:
Distributed in bogs throughout North America and Europe.

Description:

Large mosses, often forming tussocks, mats and lawns. Stems erect, with distinct heads of crowded branches. Leaves concave, with a net like pattern of slender, green, living cells and, translucent dead cells. Reproduces by spores on round, black capsules, on short, white stalks. See photos below.

Photos:
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http://p4.piczo.com/img/i13014820_71567_4.gif

F ood Uses:
"wretched food of barbarous countries" - ( Theriet, 1956) Peat mosses are inedible by most standards, but have been reportably used as famine food in China and bread making in Lapland.

Medicinal uses:
These extremely absorbent plants are permeated with minute tubes and airspaces that act as a fine sponge. Because peat mosses grow in acidic environments, they acquire antiseptic properties. Even the air around peat bogs was considered to be good for the health. Peat mosses were made into tea by boiling in hot water. This tea was used to treat bleeding and eye-related diseases.

Other Uses:
During World War i, peat mosses helped aid gun powder production by replacing the need for cotton. Peat mosses provided soft mattresses, blankets and diapers that were very effective at keeping babies clean, dry and warm. Peat moss was also used as toilet paper. The compacted, semi-decomposed layers of dead peat have been excavated from the bottom of bogs as fuel. Peat is also used in a remarkable number of industries today, is processed into: compressed peat bales for gardening, ethyl alcohol, acetic acid (vinegar), carbonic acid, ammonium compounds, nitrates, paraffin (lamp fuel), naphtha, pitch, charcoal, brown dye, tanning materials, lignins (used in making plastics), paper, shoe insoles, artificial wood, clay for porous bricks and stuffing life preservers. Peat moss is a common soil additive for gardeners.

Warnings:
Some types of toxic fungi that live in peat moss can be a cause of lung infections. Remember that this article is no way is intended to offer medical advice; it is merely an interesting resource for those who would like to become more familiar with some useful plants. Experiment with wild plants at your own risk.

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