Sphagnum splendens
Sphagnum alaskense
sphagnum
leaves triangular, 0.7–0.9 mm, appressed to stem;
apex apiculate;
hyaline cells efibrillose and nonseptate.
leaves to 1.7 × 1.2 mm; rarely hemiisophyllous;
hyaline cells nonseptate to occasionally septate, comb-lamellae absent.
moderately tapering, leaves only moderately larger at branch tips.
long and tapering.
ovate-lanceolate, 1–1.4 mm; straight;
stiff, not undulate and slightly recurved;
margins entire;
hyaline cells efibrillose, convex surface with 1 pore per cell at cell apex, on concave surface with round wall thinnings in the cell ends and angles; chlorophyllous cells triangular in transverse section and well enclosed to just reaching concave surface.
broadly ovate, to 3 × 2.3 mm;
hyaline cells on proximal half of convex surface with elliptical pores along the commissures, often with ridges running parallel to long leaf axis on hyaline cell surface overlying chlorophyllous cells; chlorophyllous cells elliptical and just enclosed on both surfaces in transverse section;
end walls not thickened.
unknown.
dioicous.
not seen.
unknown.
unknown.
fascicles with 2 spreading and 2 pendent branches.;
branch stems green;
cortex enlarged with conspicuous retort cells.
fascicles with 2 spreading and 2 pendent branches.;
branch stems with hyaline cells non-ornamented, no or weak funnel-like projections on the interior end walls, often with large round pores on the superficial wall.
Sphagnum splendens
Sphagnum alaskense
Sporophytes of Sphagnum splendens are unknown. The lack of any fibrils in the branch leaf hyaline cells gives it an unusually glossy appearance that should make it readily identifiable in the field. The facts that it differs from S. fallax in only one character and that it is known only from the type locality make S. splendens questionably distinct to some observers. More investigation is needed.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Sphagnum alaskense most resembles S. magellanicum and S. centrale in its chorophyll cell cross section. The cross section characteristic is most similar to that of S. centrale but S. alaskense lacks thickened walls. Sphagnum alaskense also apparently does not have any range overlap with S. centrale, the latter being more of a boreal forest species. Sphagnum alaskense occurs in more open and less mineral rich sites near the coast. Sphagnum magellanicum has more well-enclosed chlorophyll cells and usually has some purplish coloration, whereas S. alaskense often has a quite distinctive pinkish brown color which, along with its often large flattened capitula, can give it a distinctive look in the field.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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