English name: Flat-topped bog-moss
A bog-moss with green to mustard-brown, medium-sized shoots that grows in carpets. The capitula are convex and stellate, with developing branches in neat pairs. Spreading and pendant branches are clearly differentiated with the pendant ones almost white and adpressed to the stem. Male plants have a contrasting darker tip to the capitula and spreading branches.
In Scotland, Sphagnum fallax is widespread in permanently moist or wet habitats such as wet fields, nutrient-poor to intermediate fens, and pools and runnels in bogs. BBS distribution map
Confusion species: Sphagnum compactum and Sphagnum cuspidatum
scottishlichens.co.uk 