Colors vary from red, green, and yellow to brown. Sphagnum follows the sedges in bog succession and creates an acid environment in peat bogs, where it exerts an important effect on drainage, erosion and permafrost. It is bactericidal, resistant to decay in herbaria, and safe to use against skin. Sphagnum was used extensively for surgical dressings during the first World War, and by mothers in Lapland and North America for infants' cradle linings, diapers, and toilet paper. I have used it for my own infant and agree that it seems to prevent diaper rash.
Red sphagnum is good for a dressing on a bad cut or for sore eyes.
It can also be used for menstrual pads. If you have to put a splint on a broken bone, sphagnum is the best moss to use for padding. Indians of Guatemala believe the Christ Child was bedded in sphagnum.