Lipids in Sphagnum mosses of various ages

The lipid content in the annual increments of different ages (1 to 5 years) of Sphagnum fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr., S. angustifolium (Russow) C. Jens., and S. papillosum Lindb. has been determined by thin-layer chromatography. It was highest in the youngest portion of the moss shoot, ranging from 4.8 to 5.2% of the dry weight and decreased with increasing age to about 40–60% of the original value.The main lipid fractions of the youngest section, the capitulum, of the S. fuscum shoot were steryl and wax esters, triglycerides, and more polar lipids and accounted for 0.4, 0.3, and 3.5%, respectively, of the dry weight. The amounts of these lipids were found to decrease during senescence at independent rates.