The largest Sphagnum; green and spiky-looking. The branch leaves are wider in the lower part, narrowing to an acute tip which curves away from the branch. The terminal bud is large.  The stem has a narrow cortex of hyaline (clear and transparent) cells. 

It is in Section Squarrosa, characterised by large, tongue-shaped stem leaves and squarrose (sticking out) branch leaves.

Sphagnum palustre can appear prickly; check the branch-leaf shape and stem cortex and absece of terninal bud

Detailed photographs taken in the field and from a specimen.  We recommend that a detailed note of location or GPS reading is made and that a small specimen - e.g two or three shoots - is retained in case this is needed for verification; all Sphagnum are rare or scarce in VC55 and should not be over-collected.

Moderately nutrient-enriched habitats - swamp, wet woodland, flushes. etc.

All year round.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain, but less common in parts of central and eastern England.

Uncommon

https://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/learning/species-finder/sphagnum-squarrosum/