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Lycopodium clavatum
Also called Common clubmoss, Elk-moss, Running Pine, Common Club Moss, Running Clubmoss, Ground Pine, Running Club Moss
Lycopodium clavatum is a creeping, spore-bearing clubmoss (not a true moss or conifer) that spreads along the ground and is mainly found in undisturbed sites. It is a wild plant rarely grown in gardens, and it is endangered in many areas, so it should not be collected from the wild.
Lycopodium clavatum (common clubmoss, stag's-horn clubmoss, running clubmoss, or ground pine) is the most widespread species in the genus Lycopodium in the clubmoss family.
Lycopodium clavatum has a widespread distribution across several continents. There are distinct subspecies and varieties in different parts of its range:
The dried spores of this moss are explosive if present at high density in air. They were used as flash powder in early photography and are still used in magic acts. See lycopodium powder.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Lycopodium clavatum by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
