Spinulum annotinum

Spinulum annotinum bristly clubmoss

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA Synonyms:   Lycopodium annotinum

This clubmoss is stiff with prickly leaves, light to dark green stems look like a narrow bottle brush. Individual strobili are without stalks, leaves spreading, or reflexed.

Common in moist to dry coniferous of mixed forests, prefers acid soils.

Range is from Eastern Canada south to New Jersey, West Virginia and Michigan.

Wetland codes
EMP: FAC
NCNE: FAC



This clubmoss overwinters.

Horizontal stems  near surface, at or just below humus layer; with annual constrictions.

Upright stems  6 in. tall.  Branching at base;  round in cross-section, bristly-leaved with annual constrictions.

Leaves  1/3 in. long.  Narrow, broadest above the middle, with very sharp-pointed tip and a narrowed base; 10-ranked, ascending to reflexed, margins slightly to distinctly toothed.  Leaves midway between annual constrictions.

Strobilus  1.5 in. long.  Sessile (with no stalk), usually 1 strobilus per branch system.

Sporophyll  yellow-tan; triangular ovate with abruptly tapering to sharp-pointed tip.

Single cones born without peduncles on the tips of erect vegetative branches.  All leaves are the same length.

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

Spinulum annotinum bristly clubmoss

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA
Synonyms:   Lycopodium annotinum

Spinulum annotinum gallery
Plant Life-Form
evergreen clubmoss