AbstractSpagnum skyense(Sect.Acutifolia)sp. nov. can be recognized in the field by its robust appearance, its convex and predominantly reddish capitula, its pale red stem and its large and broadly triangular to triangular-lingulate stem leaves. Microscopically, it is recognized by the common occurrence of fibrils in the stem leaves, the occasional occurrence of pores in the stem cortex, and the large and broad cells of the divergent branch leaves.The new species show similarities to S.quinquefarium(Braithw.) Warnst. and S.subnitensRuss.&Warnst. ssp.subnitens.It is recorded from ericaceous heath on the Isle of Skye, north-west Scotland.