Here is some good info for those of us unable to stock up on necessities. Hope it helps.
Rust peat moss could be confused with unusually dark forms of acute-leaved peat moss. The brown stems of rusty peat moss distinguish it from all other
peat moss in our region, except Lindberg's peat moss (S. lindbergii) and, in the northwest, S. lenense. However, Lindberg's peat moss is much
larger, has a prominent bud at its tip and its stem leaves have broad torn tips. It also prefers habitats that are slightly more mineral-rich. Peat
mosses absorb water better than a sponge. These plants are permeated with a system of minute tubes. Because of this sponge-like structure, peat moss
absorbs water more quickly than cotton and can hold 3 - 4 times as much. Peat moss has been used for many years in baby diapers and menstrual pads.
Many babies spent the first 2 years of life in a 'moss bag', made from moose hide and lined with rabbit skin. The baby was laid on the skin with dry
moss and the bag was laced closed. Toddlers wore 'diapers' of soft skins packed with dry moss. The Chipewyan collected green, yellow, or white peat
mosses from hummocks for use in diapers. Because of its absorptive and antiseptic qualities, the Woods Cree used rusty peat moss to treat diaper
rash.
www.borealforest.org...