Lycopodium selago(Fir Club Moss)
Latin lycopodium, wolf's foot ; selago, Pliny's name for Lycopodium, from a Celtic name for a Druidic plant, Juniperus sabina.
Lycopodium selago produces a zone of vegetative leaves which alternates with a zone of spore bearing leaves. The sporangia are small yellowish sacs, and a single one forms at the base of each fertile leaf. About 8 cm tall. Glenn Alps Area, Anchorage. Elev. approx 700 m. 26 Oct., 2003 .
Right click to Download hi-res photo file.
File size:269kb Type:JPG
Right click to Download hi-res photo file.
File size:269kb Type:JPG
Lycopodium selago with Empetrum nigrum (Crowberry) in the foreground. About 8 cm tall. Glenn Alps Area, Anchorage. Elev. approx 700 m. 26 Oct., 2003 .
Right click to Download hi-res photo file.
File size:272kb Type:JPG
Right click to Download hi-res photo file.
File size:272kb Type:JPG
According to Hulten (1968, pg 25), this club moss is also known as Huperzia selago. It is one of several varieties of this species complex which is widely distributed in the circumpolar regions. He claims it contains a poisonous alkaloid.