Running-Cedar, Fan Ground-Pine (Lycopodium digitatum)

Running-cedar, Fan Ground-pine (Lycopodium digitatum)

Plantae>Lycopodiophyta>Lycopodiopsida>Lycopodiales>Lycopodiaceae>Lycopodium digitatum Dillenius ex A. Braun

Running-cedar is an evergreen subshrub that spreads by underground runners. During the summer reproductive structures, called strobili, appear. The strobili bear sporangia, which enclose the spores. The strobili at left are immature.

Grayson Co., VA 7/25/10.

Common throughout North Carolina, it is frequently found in pine forests and other second-growth woodlands.

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

The leaves form flattened fans, somewhat reminiscent of conifers such as Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis).

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

Alternate scientific names include Diphasiastrum digitatum and the older Lycopodium flabelliforme.

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

More information:
Bioimages
Ferns and Fern Allies of Wisconsin
Missouri Plants
Southwest Virginia Flora