Sphagnaceae
/ˌsfæɡˈneɪsiːi/noun
A botanical family of peat mosses in the genus Sphagnum.
Did you know?Sphagnum moss can acidify and preserve bog environments so effectively that archaeological remains, including human bodies, have survived in peat for centuries or millennia.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
σφάγνος (sphágnos)
“A word associated with moss, later used as the source of the botanical name; its deeper origin is uncertain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
sphagnum
“A Latinized plant name for moss.”
18th Century
New Latin
Sphagnum
“The scientific genus name for peat mosses.”
19th Century
New Latin
Sphagnaceae
“A family name formed from Sphagnum with the standard botanical family ending -aceae.”
Modern English
English
Sphagnaceae
“The recognized family of peat mosses, including Sphagnum species.”
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