Huperzia lucidula
| Shining firmoss | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Lycophytes |
| Class: | Lycopodiopsida |
| Order: | Lycopodiales |
| Family: | Lycopodiaceae |
| Genus: | Huperzia |
| Species: | H. lucidula
|
| Binomial name | |
| Huperzia lucidula (Michaux) Trevisan
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Lycopodium lucidulum Michx. | |
Huperzia lucidula (also called the shining firmoss or shining clubmoss) is a bright,
clubmoss
of the genus Huperzia.
They grow in loose tufts 14–20 cm long, occasionally up to 1 m long. The
sporangia (spore cases) are nestled in the bases of the upper leaves. The roots of this plant grow from a creeping and branching underground rhizome
.
The shining firmoss is found in
coniferous or mixed hardwood forests, as well as near bogs, above stream banks, and on sheltered, low hillsides. They occasionally grow on moss-lined cliffs and ledges, or on shaded, acidic sandstone
outcroppings.
The specific name lucidula comes from Latin and means "shining". This is in clear reference to the plant’s bright, vivid green color.
Reproduction is either by copious spore production from
References
- ^ "Ferns and Fern Allies of Wisconsin". University of Wisconsin. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
-
A specimen from North Carolina -
