🌿 Identification Guide

How to Identify Lycopodiaceae

53 species · Plantae · Order Lycopodiales

Lycopodiaceae is a plant family in the Plantae kingdom, order Lycopodiales, class Lycopodiopsida. The family contains 53 accepted species worldwide. Some species in this family are toxic — exercise caution when handling unknown specimens.

Key Identification Features

The underground perenniating tuber of Phylloglossum is unique within Lycopodiaceae: it is a reduced stem system that has developed into a distinct new organ.
5 m tall and have two distinct surfaces.
scariosum has distinctive colouration, with large fluorescent spots spread throughout its tissues.
This feature is unusual for a club moss, because few club moss species contain 5-O-glucosides of flavones, the compound that causes these bright fluorescent spots.

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Representative Lycopodiaceae Species

Phlegmariurus dentatus (Herter) Arana

Phlegmariurus dentatus is a stout upright lycophyte native to the Azores and Mad…

Huperzia porophila (F.E.Lloyd & Underw.) Holub

Huperzia porophila, the rock clubmoss/rock firmoss, is an Appalachian-region hyb…

Diphasiastrum alpinum (L.) Holub

Diphasiastrum alpinum is a circumpolar northern clubmoss that grows in alpine an…

Phylloglossum drummondii Kunze

Phylloglossum drummondii, the only species in the Lycopodiaceae genus Phylloglos…

Dendrolycopodium dendroideum (Michx.) A.Haines

Dendrolycopodium dendroideum, tree groundpine, is a North American clubmoss also…

Diphasium scariosum (G.Forst.) Rothm.

Diphasium scariosum is a distinctive club moss found across parts of Oceania and…

Dendrolycopodium hickeyi (W.H.Wagner, Beitel & R.C.Moran) A.Haines

Dendrolycopodium hickeyi is a tree club-moss native to northeastern North Americ…

Pseudolycopodium densum (Rothm.) Holub

Pseudolycopodium densum, the bushy clubmoss, is the only species in the lycophyt…

Lycopodium lagopus (Laest. ex C.Hartm.) Zinserl. ex Kuzen.

Lycopodium lagopus (one-cone club-moss) is an arctic-subarctic clubmoss that rar…

Diphasiastrum digitatum (Dill. ex A.Braun) Holub

Diphasiastrum digitatum is a low-growing perennial clubmoss native to eastern No…

Lycopodiella alopecuroides (L.) Cranfill

Lycopodiella alopecuroides, foxtail clubmoss, is a perennial clubmoss with histo…

Lateristachys lateralis (R.Br.) Holub

Lateristachys lateralis, the slender club moss, is a native club moss of eastern…

Browse all 53 Lycopodiaceae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Lycopodiaceae?

Lycopodiaceae plants belong to the Lycopodiales order in the Plantae kingdom. The underground perenniating tuber of Phylloglossum is unique within Lycopodiaceae: it is a reduced stem system that has developed into a distinct new organ. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Lycopodiaceae?

Lycopodiaceae is classified in the order Lycopodiales, class Lycopodiopsida, phylum Tracheophyta. 5 m tall and have two distinct surfaces.

⚠️ Are any Lycopodiaceae species poisonous?

Yes, some Lycopodiaceae species are toxic or poisonous. Always exercise caution with unknown specimens. View poisonous Lycopodiaceae species or browse the full poisonous species guide.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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