Club Mosses

Clubmosses (Lycopodiaceae) The club mosses are small, creeping, terrestrial or epiphytic, vascular plants, which lack flowers and reproduce sexually by spores. The sporophyte consists of true roots, an aerial stem and scale-like leaves which are microphylls. These are small and spirally arranged on an elongated stem. The spores are generally borne singly in the axils of specialised leaves (sporophylls), and these are often aggregated into cone-like strobili. It's these sporophylls that resemble clubs and give this group it's name. New Zealand has around 10 species, some of which are common. They were the dominant plant group in the Carboniferous period, where they attained the size of trees, and were the main contributors to the coal deposits found today.		Genus
		- Lycopodium Club moss strobili Club moss spore

Species: Lycopodium cernuum L. Found along bush margins or disturbed ground e.g. Roadside cuttings, walking tracks.
Common Name: Creeping Club Moss. Found: Lowland Mixed Forest	Distribution: North Island to Westland. Height: 400 mm

Species: Lycopodium deuterodensum Herter Found along bush margins or disturbed ground e.g. Walking tracks, as well as in regenerating Kauri forests. Has appressed leaves.
Common Name: Tree Club Moss Found: Lowland Mixed Forest	Distribution: North Island to Westland. Height: 600 mm

Species: Lycopodium deuterodensum Herter Same as above but with spreading leaves.
Common Name: Tree Club Moss Found: Leptospermum Bush	Distribution: North Island to Westland. Height: 600 mm

Species: Lycopodium laterale R. Br.
Common Name: None Found: Boggy areas, Lowland Mixed Forest	Distribution: North Island to Westland. Height: 400 mm

Species: Lycopodium scariosum G. Forst. Found a long bush margins and disturbed ground e.g. Roadside cuttings.
Common Name: Creeping Club Moss Found: Lowland Mixed Forest	Distribution: New Zealand wide Height: 150 mm

Species: Lycopodium varium R. Br.
Common Name: Hanging club Moss Found: Mixed Forest Substrate: Epiphyte	Distribution: New Zealand wide Length: 600 mm

Species: Lycopodium volubile G. Forst. Found a long bush margins and disturbed ground e.g.. Road side cuttings. Has a creeping habit and can also climb up vegetation.
Common Name: Climbing Club Moss Found: Low land Mixed Forest	Distribution: North Island, to Christchurch,in South Island.

Other References Intro.. to Lycophyta Fern Allies Phylum Lycophyta	Clubmosses Lycophytes Division Lycophyta

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