Lycopodiella appressa (Chapman) Cranfill

Southern Bog-clubmoss

Habitat: Sandy and peaty shores, wet barrens, savannas.

Range: Along coastal plain from Maine south to Florida and Texas.

Aids to Identification: The genus Lycopodiella is a group of deciduous clubmosses (all others in Maine are evergreen). They are recognized by their simple terminal stobili on upright shoots borne from creeping stems. The sporophylls of Lycopodiella are leaf-like. Southern bog-clubmoss differs from other Maine Lycopodiella spp. in having appressed sporophylls (vs. spreading) and prostrate horizontal shoots (vs. arching stems).

Ecological characteristics: Often found growing in disturbed habitats along the coastal plain including pondshores, and powerlines. Hybrids with other Lycopodiella spp., which complicates identification.

Phenology: Sporates in summer.

Family: Lycopodiaceae

Synonyms: Lycopodiella bigelovii (Tuckerman) Holub.; Lycopodium appressum (Chapman) Lloyd & Underwood; Lycopodium inundatum var. appressum Chapman; Lycopodium inundatum var. bigelovii Tuckerman.

Known Distribution in Maine:This rare plant has been documented from a total of 1 towns in the following county: Cumberland.

Reason(s) for rarity: At northern limit of range

Conservation considerations: Population is located in a powerline right-of-way. Maintenance, ATV use, and herbicide applications could threaten population.