Sphagnum palustre plants are spread across the whole of
Europe and also can be found in parts of
America,
Australia and
New Zealand. It is comparatively frequent and grows on moist and wet habitats like wet forests, often coniferous forests, on marshy meadows, but rarely in moors. The species often forms large carpets, sometimes bulge-shaped. It is often accompanied by
Sphagnum fimbriatum,
Sphagnum subnitens, and
Sphagnum squarrosum.
Sphagnum palustre is invading the native habitat at
Ka'ala, O'ahu, Hawai'i. It became established after a sample was brought to the island by a botanist in 1960. Although the environment does not allow the plant to reproduce sexually via spores, it is capable of spreading through
vegetative reproduction. It currently occupies an area estimated at 17.3 acres. Coordinated eradication efforts have proved difficult. Prairie Sphagnum “is among the few Sphagnum species that have a wide distribution range that extends into warm-temperate zones; most Sphagnum species are found in cold regions”.
British distribution Sphagnum palustre is found all over the
British Isles. It is less frequent just north of
London and west through to
Bristol and patches in the
Republic of Ireland. It is widespread in
Scotland,
Wales,
Orkney,
Shetland and the
Isle of Man. It can be found on
Scilly. == Threat ==