Sphagnum papillosum is most abundant in oceanic fens; Oligotrophic to mesotrophic sites. The plant varies in color from green to dull to dark brown. Generally, it forms carpets and low hummocks, intermixed with S. magellanicum, S. mendocinum, and S. miyabeanum. The most distinguishing trait that seperates this species from others is the presence of papillae on the internal walls of the hyaline cells.  Further details: Sphagnum papillosum.

Sphagnum miyabeanum until recently was Sphagnum subsecundum. This species occurs in eastern Asia and western North America. In western Washington, it can usually be found in partially shaded to open sites in nutrient rich fens. Generally it is golden brown to green in more shaded forms with contorted capitulum branches. This branch character is unique to the sub-group subsecundum. Associated species with S. miyabeanum are: S. palustre, S. subnitens, S. teres, and S. angustifolium.  A similar species that has only been found in one outer-coast fen in Washington state is Sphagnum contortum. A detailed description of Sphagnum miyabeanum

Sphagnum fimbriatum ssp. fimbriatum is a slender, and relatively small moss in our region. It has a prominent terminal bud, and sparse branches which expose the green stem and distinctive stem leaf. It's stem leaf is  broad and lacerate across the apex. This attribute makes this species one of the most unmistakable of all sphagnum mosses- If you can find it. Most of the sites it has been collected from in Washington tend to be medium fens, hidden among the bases of Ledum and Kalmia.  It associates strongly with birch inhabited fens. More details on Sphagnum fimbriatum ssp. fimbriatum

Sphagnum russowii is common throughout western Washington's ombrotrophic subalpine fens. This species tends to be relatively large with a prominent apical bud. Other associated species include: S. fuscum, and S. rubellum. All three of these species tend to form spreading, dense mounds. The coloration of S. russowii can be all green to all red, however most individuals have both green and red on the stem, fascicles and capitulum. More details on Sphagnum russowii.

Sphagnum subnitens can have a wie variety of coloration. Depending on site-exposure, it can be mostly green to red, to mostly brown. On a population scale, a hummock of S. subnitens can be identified by each plant's fascicles descending over the plant lower on the hummock. S. subnitens can be found in fens weakly to moderately minerotrophic fens. and Accurate identification of this species can be difficult since it closely resembles S. capillifolium, S. fuscum, and S. rubellum. Common associated species include S. squarrosum, S. palustre, S. fimbriatum, and S. teres. Further details on Sphagnum subnitens.

Sphagnum mendocinum is one of the few species in Washington to belong to the sub-group, cuspidata. It is a moderately large, robust and lax,  species expressing a rust-brown to brown-black coloration.  Its typically found in weakly minerotrophic fens, especially among Spireae.  Species generally associated with S. mendocinum are: S. miyabeanum, S. angustifolium, S. pacificum, and S. papillosum. More details on Sphagnum mendocinum. 

Sphagnum pacificum is a North American west coast endemic. It is always green to dark green, stellate, and robust to lax. It most commonly inhabits forested and open, nutrient poor fens where it forms mats and often is flooded or floating. There are few distinguishing traits about this species. It is most commonly associated with S. girgensohnii and S. squarrosum, and can be most easily distinguished from these two species by its small (.8-1.2 mm) triangular stem leaf. Follow the following link for more information on this species: Sphagnum pacificum.

Sphagnum teres is an abundant, circumpolar species known to occur in minerotrophic fens in sparse or dense mats at water level. It is most easily identified in its golden-brown state, however in more shaded sites it will be more green. It can be confused with S. squarrosum, however it has less "squarrose" branch leaves, and generally occurs in more open sites. other than S. squarrosum, it is also associate with S. subnitens, S. palustre, and S. miyabeanum. Follow the link for more details on Sphagnum teres.