Dendrolycopodium obscurum
Small plant that looks like a tiny pine tree
Dendrolycopodium obscurum princess pine
Synonyms:
Lycopodium obscurum
Small, treelike, evergeen clubmoss with many spreading, flattened branches and lustrous green leaves. 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.
| 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.
APG/Taxonomization Info
The epithet 'obscurus' was given to the plant by Linnaeus in 1753. IT comes from the latin word, obscurus meaning "to hide".
Dendrolycopodium obscurum princess pine
