Lycopodiella alopecuroides (L.) Cranfill

Foxtail Clubmoss; Foxtail Bog Clubmoss

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Foxtail Clubmoss is a native herbaceous perennial in the Clubmoss family (Lycopodiaceae). Foxtail Clubmoss grows in seeps, bogs, and wet ditches. It can be found in the southern two-thirds of Alabama. The Clubmosses are not true mosses. They reproduce by forming spores, but have vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) not found in true mosses. Foxtail Clubmoss consists of an elongated creeping stem that arches over the ground, rooting where it comes into contact with the soil. The small triangular leaves are known as microphylls. They have a single unbranched strand of vascular tissue (vein). The microphylls are spirally arranged on the stem, but are best developed on the upper side of the stem. The spores are produced in an upright club shaped structure known as a strobilus. The spores have a waxy coating and are highly flammable. They have been used as flash powder for photography and in theater performances. Foxtail Clubmoss often grows with two other closely related species-- Southern Clubmoss (Lycopodiella appressa (Chapman) Cranfill) and Prostrate Bog Clubmoss (Lycopodiella prostrata (R.M. Harper) Cranfill). Hybrids are frequent-- Bruce's Clubmoss (Lycopodiella ×brucei Cranfill) results from a cross of Foxtail Clubmoss and Prostrate Bog Clubmoss, and Copeland's Clubmoss (Lycopodiella ×copelandii (Eiger) Cranfill) results from a cross of Foxtail Clubmoss and Southern Clubmoss. Foxtail Clubmoss can be grown in a bog garden or terrarium. --A. Diamond

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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