Sphagnum in situ

[Mr.Fakename]

My girlfriend and I went for a 10km hike in De Groote Heide, a nature preserve between Belgium and Holland.

We stumbled upon (ok not really, I looked for it) lots of Sphagnum, here are some pics of cool patches!


This is the only one I can identify, Sphagnum squarrosum









Carnivorous plant bonus. Probably Drosera intermedia.

[Ray]

Very cool!

[WaterWitchin]

Wow! And the bonus Drosera... double WOW! We sure don't find anything like that stumbling around in the woods or prairies of eastern Kansas.

[Mr.Fakename]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Wow! And the bonus Drosera... double WOW! We sure don't find anything like that stumbling around in the woods or prairies of eastern Kansas.

Sphagnum is a very, very specialized plant that thrives into super specific places, it's crazy. You have to know exactly where to look as each species has a distinct habitat.

It's fascinating to see how one species dominates a stump or a puddle, and it's totally absent 10cm away.

[vegetalmatter]

So very cool. Thanks for sharing!

[camille1585]

That's amazing!! I've never paid attention to the flora in the boggy spots when I go for walks, I'll be sure to have a look next time. The soil/environment is similar around here (acidic, sandy soil with lots of heather and pines).

Do you have photos of the area those are in?

[Mr.Fakename]

Originally Posted by camille1585

That's amazing!! I've never paid attention to the flora in the boggy spots when I go for walks, I'll be sure to have a look next time. The soil/environment is similar around here (acidic, sandy soil with lots of heather and pines).

Do you have photos of the area those are in?

I do, but my phone had a lot of trouble getting luminosity and focus right, sorry in advance for bad quality.
EDIT: uploads don't work for some reason

If you look on Google for "De Malpie" or "De Groote Heide", you'll find plenty of pics.

If you find Sphag please send pics! Some of my acquaintances and myself are trying to gather knowledge about that moss.

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

That sundew looks like a capensis but I think they are only in South Africa.

I honestly have no clue, but someone far more knowledgeable than me said "probably intermedia". I'll leave ID to the pros!

[DirtyCoconuts]

Amazing!!!

That sundew looks like a capensis but I think they are only in South Africa.

Thanks for sharing!!

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Amazing!!!

That sundew looks like a capensis but I think they are only in South Africa.

Thanks for sharing!!

Drosera capensis is native to South Africa, but sadly it's established in many more places. There are locations in CA where it's crowding out native species.

[My Green Pets]

That's awesome, didn't realize you had these, and Drosera, in Europe!!