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NZ Plants

Lycopodiella cernua

Clubmoss family: Lycopodiaceae

Lycopodiella cernua is a terrestrial clubmoss with extensive branching, horizontal stems that arch across the ground. Where stems touch the soil roots are formed. Erect branches are formed between rooting points and have sterile, spirally arranged, incurved and linear leaves that are all the same size and shape. Branch tips are curled over and when fertile, form cones. Formerly known as Lycopodium cernuum.
Found throughout New Zealand in coastal to subalpine locations.
 

 0Vegetative characteristics

Fertile stem and sporangia

Plant form: terrestrial plants up to 50 cm

Stem appearance: differentiated into pendulous cones up to 5-15 mm long

Leaf arrangement: singly in a spiral along the stem; curved toward shoot tip

Sporangium location: on upper surface of cone sporophyll

Leaf shape: linear, pointed at tip

Sporangium position: at base of cone sporophyll

Leaf size: up to 50 mm

Sporangia distribution: one per cone sporophyll

Leaf surface: smooth, stiff

Sporangium covering: 0

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