Huperzia lucidula
Huperzia lucidula shining firmoss
Synonyms:
Lycopodium lucidulum
This firmoss is quite a bristly-looking plant with a dense covering of bright green, shiny, small leaves. It is rhizomatous and low-growing, forming loose clumps.
Habitat & Range
Grows in shady coniferous or hardwood forests with moist, acidic soils.
Range is from Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to North Carolina, Alabama, eastern Missouri, MN, and Iowa.
Wetland Code: FAC
Phenology
This firmoss overwinters.
Characteristics
Stems 6 to 8 in. tall. Single or with a few branches, erect stems a continuation of a prostrate stem often hidden under leaf litter. Stem with conspicuous annual constriction giving it a rugged profile.
Leaves 3/8 in. long. Lustrous and spreading to slightly reflexed. Largest leaves narrow, broadest at or above middle, with distinctively toothed edges, especially above the middle. Smaller leaves narrowly triangular. Stomates seen only on lower leaf surfaces.
Sporangia in distinct zones of upper stem.
Gemmae borne in one whorl on uppermost leaf axils, so the stem looks thick at the tip.
Special Characters
Larger leaves are widest above the middle, leaf margins toothed. Stomates on upper leaf surface are absent.
APG/Taxonomization Info
The epithet lucidula meaning 'luminous' was given to this clubmoss by Andre Michaux because of its shiny leaves.
Huperzia lucidula shining firmoss
