Re: peatmoss tea

Loren Russell (loren@peak.org)
Thu, 31 Oct 1996 10:05:01 -0800 (PST)

Alkaloids are widespread compounds in the higher plants, and in the
fungi. But not in mosses. Chances are that the main constituents of
peatmoss tea are tannins [like black tea]. And a variety of terpenoids,
though not from the Sphagnum. I suspect that the tannins might cause
enough physiological [or osmotic] stress to the CP roots to enhance the
plants' coloring.

Loren Russell, Corvallis, Oregon