196 Pub. Puget Sound Biol. Sta. Vol. 2, No. 46 



Sphagnum in drained places 



An instance of the abundant growth of Sphagnum without the devel- 

 opment of a bog is seen along the trial from Fairfax, Washington, to the 

 ranger station. In September, 1917, this moss was found growing vigor- 

 ously in a hollow along this trail at a distance of about 8 kilometers 

 (5 miles) from the town. It was running over soil, logs, and roots. Fresh 

 green stems of it a foot or more in length were readily found. All of 

 the places where it grew were too well drained to allow te the develop- 

 ment of a Sphagnum bog, and no Labrador tea {Ledum groenlandicum) , 

 swamp laurel (Kalmia polifolia), cranberry (^Oxy coccus'), or sundew 

 (Drosera rotundifolia) were found. Of course, any physiographic change 

 which would result in stopping the drainage from this place might result 

 in the development of a typical Puget Sound sphagnum bog. We need then 

 suppose only the continued growth and decay of Sphagnum, followed or ac- 

 companied by the introduction of the bog plants named above. The 

 writer has no positive evidence in regard to the means by which these 

 plants are transported to non-contiguous areas in the same vicinity. The 

 writer has not tested the conditions necessary for the germination of the 

 seeds of these plants, nor has he given special attention to possible means 

 of their dispersal. It seems quite possible, however, that the cranberries, 

 since they are readily seen on account of their color, may be eaten by 

 birds and the seeds thus dispersed. The seeds of the other plants men- 

 tioned are all very small and light and are discharged by the opening of 

 the capsules. It is possible that they may stick to the feet of the birds 

 in wet weather and thus be carried a considerable distance. 



Another instance of the growth of Sphagnum without the formation 

 of a bog was observed in August, 1918, along the upper course of the 

 north fork of the Skykomish river in Snohomish county, Washington. 

 Several small areas were found in which this moss covered practically all 

 of the surface but was not accompanied by any of the other plants com- 

 monly found in Puget Sound sphagnum bogs. None of these areas ex- 

 ceeded 150 feet square. They were flat but were at a sufficient elevation 

 above the river so that drainage from the front edge of each was good. 

 They were very wet because they were so flat. They were mostly swampy, 

 and no doubt a considerable number of them had been depressions and had 

 been filled by the accumulation of vegetation and by deposition of soil 

 from the higher ground back of them. To what extent Sphagnum might 

 have helped in this filling cannot be stated with certainty but the sub- 

 stratum where it was dug into had the appearance of swamp muck rather 

 than that of sphagnum peat. The most characteristic plants occurring in 

 these areas are marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and scouring rush 



