Sphagnum-Field-Guide
Sphagnum-Field-Guide
S.warnstorfii has its pendant branches closely appressed to the stem whereas the ones of S. russowii will first reach out and then further downward along the stem also be appressed.
Sources: P. 3 https://bryology.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Bryological-Times-2002-107.pdf
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/178222140
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/322289629
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/310546695