Dendrolycopodium obscurum princess pine

Synonyms: Lycopodium obscurum
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A small, treelike, evergeen clubmoss with many spreading, flattened branches and lustrous green leaves. The plant has a distinctive appearance resembling miniature pine trees, making it an attractive ground cover in shaded, forested areas. Common in our area and mostly found in humus-rich woods.

Habitat & Range

Common in rich hardwood and mixed forests, and shrubby areas; moist to dry, acidic soils.

Range: From Newfoundland south to PA and to southeast VA, Kentucky and west to Minnesota.

Wetland codes

EMP:	FACU
NCNE:	FACU

Phenology

This clubmoss overwinters.

Characteristics

Horizontal stems creeping and branching well below surface of ground; no annual constrictions.

Upright stems to 12 in. tall. Erect, treelike; branched 4-5 times to form fanlike lateral branches. Tightly appressed leaves on main stem below lateral branches. Stems arise at intervals from subsurface horizontal stem.

Lateral branches somewhat flattened in cross-section, with leaves on underside very small. Conspicuous annual constrictions.

Leaves 1/4 in. long. Narrow, lance-shaped; smooth sides taper to sharp-pointed tips. All leaves ascend(pointed toward end of branch); leaves of lateral branches 6-ranked.

Strobilus 1.5 in. long. Sessile (no stalk), borne singly on ends of upper branches, 1-6 per upright, branche stem.

Sporophyll rouned, glat base and long, gradually narrowing tip.

Special Characters

The stem has a tree-like appearance. The leaves are dark green, needle-like, and appressed to the stem.

Plant Codes

S-rank: S5 (Secure)
G-rank: G5 (Secure)

APG/Taxonomization Info

The epithet 'obscurum' was given to the plant by Linnaeus in 1753. It comes from the latin word, obscurus meaning "to hide".

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