Description: This native perennial plant produces upright shoots (3-6" tall) from long horizontal stems. The horizontal stems run above the ground in the leaf litter; they branch sparingly. The horizontal stems are medium green, terete, and slightly grooved; distributed sparsely along their sides, there are tiny scale-like leaves (1/8" long) that are appressed to slightly spreading. Each upright shoot produces a central stem with dichotomously branched lateral stems. The lateral stems are held horizontally to the ground; they are fan-like in appearance. Usually, each lateral stem branches dichotomously 2-3 times. The lateral stems are medium green, hairless, shiny, and flattened. Each lateral stem has 4 columnar ranks of scale-like leaves (1/8" long) on its sides that are appressed to slightly spreading. The leaves on the two narrow sides of each lateral stem are linear in shape, while the leaves on its two broad sides are linear-lanceolate. Generally, the stems lack seasonal constrictions.
A fertile upright shoot produces 1-2
upright peduncles with strobili (cone-like spore-bearing structures). The
peduncles are 1½–4" long, medium green or yellowish green, and
terete. Scale-like bracts (1/8" long) are sparsely distributed along each
peduncle. At its apex, each peduncle branches dichotomously to produce 1-2
pairs of erect strobili. Each young strobilus is ¾–1¾" long,
light green to yellowish green, and narrowly cylindrical in shape. Along the
sides of each strobilus, there are appressed to slightly spreading sporophylls
(scale-like bracts of the strobili). Each sporophyll is a little less than 1/8"
long and ovate-cordate in shape. A single sporangium (spore-bearing structure)
is located behind each sporophyll. Eventually, the sporangia split open to
release the spores; this typically happens during the late summer or fall.
Vegetative colonies of upright shoots are often produced from the horizontal
stems. Fibrous roots are located at intervals along the horizontal stems. The
foliage is evergreen.
Cultivation:
Fan Clubmoss is very difficult to cultivate in the garden. Transplants are
rarely successful, and the development of mature plants from spores is very
slow (taking perhaps 20 years). During its sexual phase, this species develops
underground and requires the presence of appropriate fungi. It prefers a
somewhat acidic soil that is sandy or rocky, dappled sunlight to light shade,
and well-drained conditions.
Range &
Habitat: Fan Clubmoss occurs in widely scattered locations
throughout Illinois (see
Distribution
Map). While it is probably the most common clubmoss species in the state,
it is still relatively uncommon. Habitats include upland woodlands, bluffs,
sandstone cliffs, and abandoned sandy fields. Fan Clubmoss is usually found in
wooded areas with oak trees or conifers, although it also colonizes open sandy
areas. This species may be expanding its range.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about
floral-faunal relationships for clubmosses. Because the foliage contains toxic
alkaloids, it is usually avoided by mammalian herbivores. Colonies of Fan
Clubmoss and other large clubmosses provide nesting habitat for the Nashville
Warbler and probably other ground-nesting songbirds.
Photographic Location: An upland deciduous woodland
at Turkey Run State Park in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Fan Clubmoss resembles a dwarf cedar
(Juniperus) or another conifer, but it is not closely related to these
seed-bearing woody plants. Plants in the Clubmoss family are some of the oldest
vascular plants on Earth. During prehistoric times, some members of this family
were tree-sized, growing alongside giant horsetails and tree ferns. Some of the
these prehistoric plants were eventually transformed into the extensive coal
beds that our civilization uses today. Fan Clubmoss can be distinguished from
other similar species by considering the following key characteristics: 1) the
lateral stems of its upright shoots are fan-like in shape and held horizontally
to the ground, 2) there are only 4 ranks of scale-like leaves along its lateral
stems, 3) its strobili occur in one or two pairs, and 4) its horizontal stems
lie on top of the ground, rather than underneath it. Older scientific names of
this clubmoss are Lycopodium complanatum flabelliforme, Lycopodium
flabelliforme, and Lycopodium digitatum. Other common names of this
species are Southern Ground-Cedar and Southern Running
Pine.