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Definition of sphagnum
sphagnum
/ˈsfæɡ.nəm/
sphag · num
Plural:sphagna
sphagnum Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
sphagnum Game Scores & Validity
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Wordle Guess
• noun
1
The dried remains of this moss, used commercially as a potting medium, for packing plants, or as a soil conditioner due to its exceptional ability to absorb and hold water.
Example
"Orchids are often cultivated in pure sphagnum because it provides excellent aeration and steady moisture to their roots."
2
Any of various pale or ashy mosses of the genus Sphagnum, which grow in dense, wet, boggy areas and slowly decay to form peat.
Example
"The wetlands were carpeted with a thick layer of living sphagnum that bounced slightly underfoot."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for sphagnum• Rhymes for sphagnum
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Word Origin & Etymology
From Modern Latin 'sphagnum', derived from the Ancient Greek 'sphagnos', referring to a kind of moss.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sphagnum. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sphagnum