Sphagnum such gemmae. Peat moss can be distinguished from other moss species by its unique branch clusters. The plant and stem color, the shape of the branch and stem leaves, and the shape of the green cells are all characteristics used to identify peat moss to species. "Sphagnum" taxonomy has been very contentious since the early 1900s; most species require microscopic dissection to be identified. In the field, most "Sphagnum" species can be identified to one of four major sections of the genus—classification and descriptions follow Andrus 2007 (Flora North America): The reciprocal monophyly of these sections and two other minor
Lough Derravaragh south of this raised bog. Much of the high bog possesses vegetation typical of an Irish Midland raised bog, with such species as ling heather ("Calluna vulgaris") and hare's tail cottongrass ("Eriophorum vaginatum"). The hummock-forming bog moss, "Sphagnum papillosum" has been recorded situated around one third of the high bog as has the more scarce "Sphagnum imbricatum". Overall, sphagnum covers around one-third of the high bog area. The centre of the bog is wet with stagnant water in places. The aquatic bog moss "Sphagnum cuspidatum" has been recorded in the hollows of the bog. There are dried-out channels of the