The economic importances of sphagnum are:
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It has the great capacity for retaining moisture like that of sponge so it is used as packing materials for the transshipment of living plants.
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It maintains high soil acidity of certain plants so it improves the retaining capacity of dry soil.
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It is said to possess half the heating power of good coal and twice the heat of wood. So it is used as domestic fuel after drying it.
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It is instead of cotton for filling the absorbent bandages in surgical dressing in the hospitals.
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It is also used as a material for increasing the water retaining property of certain poor types of soils.
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The flowers are packed in peat mosses to keep them fresh for a long period.
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It has great power of regeneration.
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The decomposed moss is called as the peat moss and it is used in gardens.
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It can cause fungal infections.
