This moss has the typical structure of Sphagnum mosses generally, with a cluster of side branches at the shoot apex forming a distinct "head" or " capitulum". It is distinguished by the rather short and stubby branches, rather like little cigars, and its predominantly golden-brown colour,intermixed with some green and yellow.

It was once a common species of raised bogs in Wales, and a major hummock-forming species. It has suffered a steady decline since the Middle Ages, for reasons which are not understood, an is now rare on raised bogs in Wales. Climate change, drainage of raised mires, and burning have all been suggested as possible causes of this decline.

There is another sub-species of Sphagnum imbricatum, - S. imbricatum ssp affine. This is a plant of slightly base-rich wet flushes.

Also visible in the photograph is the Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), an insectivorous plant of raised bogs, often associated with hummock-forming Sphagnum mosses.