Clubmoss family (Lycopodiaceae)

  • Widlaki Clubmoss

Clubmoss family (Lycopodiaceae)

Longlived evergreen on stems up to 4 m long, prostrate, with forked branching from which lateral stems of heights 5-15 cm arise. Leaves set densely, arranged helically, of length 3-5 mm and ending in a small white hair. Spore-bearing stems reach heights up to 25 cm, usually with 2-3 club-shaped spore-bearing spikes that produce spores in period Jul.-Sep.. Grows on mesic soils that are either nutrient-poor or moderately fertile. Occurs in different types of coniferous forest, especially with pine; as well as on dry grasslands and heathlands. Stems POISONOUS. Spores have medicinal applications. Subject to Partial Protection.

 

Descriptions devised by the team at the Independent Department of Forest Botany, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, i.e. L. Witkowska-Żuk, K. Marciszewska, W. Ciurzycki, A. Obidziński and P. Zaniewski.