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Rare Clubmoss

Lycopodium obscurum

Photo by Christine Y.
Published on Project Noah
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41.5539, -73.2155

Field Notes

Description:

This plant has a superficial resemblance to conifers. However, it is much smaller and the above ground parts rarely reach more 15 cm tall. The plants I spotted were 10cm tall or less. Interestingly, the main stem is a creeping rhizome that grows below ground. Unfortunately, the harvest of rare clubmoss has caused it to become threatened in several areas.

Habitat:

I spotted a lot of these growing on the ground in a mixed, swampy forest while out doing a homeschool science lesson with my kids. They thought these plants were baby pine trees :)

Reference Links:

Lycopodium obscurum - Wikipedia, Plants Profile for Lycopodium obscurum (rare clubmoss)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)
Christine Y.
Thanks so much for the nomination and the comments :). I love these "baby trees".
Leuba Ridgway
Thanks for sharing this spotting Christine. Does look so much like a young pine.
HemaShah
Awesome Christine.Another intellectual find!
Maria dB
Very interesting! I would have thought it was a young pine as well!
AshleyT
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!

Spotted for Missions

Homeschooling Journeys of the Northeastern United States

Tags

Photographed
PublishedFebruary 25, 2018

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