clubmoss
Clubmosses are widespread descendants of a plant group that reached its peak in the Carboniferous period, over 280million years ago, and whose fossil remains are found in coal. The stag's horn moss (Lycopodium clavatum ) is the most widespread species in the genus Lycopodium in the clubmoss family.
A clubmoss is any of about 200 species of small, evergreen vascular plants of the phylum Lycopodophyta, related to the ferns and horsetails. Unlike the more primitive true mosses, clubmosses have specialized tissues for transporting water, food, and minerals. They have creeping stems that branch dichotomously and small leaves arranged spirally. They are found mainly in the tropics, but some occur in temperate climates. Millions of years ago their ancestors formed the large trees that dominated Carboniferous forests.
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| Kraus's club moss.
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