Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Common Ground-pine (Lycopodium obscurum)

Plantae>Lycopodiophyta>Lycopodiopsida>Lycopodiales>Lycopodiaceae>Lycopodium obscurum L.
Common Ground-pine (Lycopodium obscurum)

Found primarily in forests with acidic soil in the Mountain region of North Carolina, where it is uncommon, Common Ground-pine is rare in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.

Grayson Co., VA 7/25/10.

Common Ground-pine (Lycopodium obscurum)

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 7/3/2009.

Common Ground-pine (Lycopodium obscurum)

Like the similar and more common Running-cedar (Lycopodium digitatum), Common Ground-pine is an evergreen subshrub that spreads by underground runners

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

Common Ground-pine (Lycopodium obscurum)

Immature strobili (reproductive structures).

An alternate scientific name is Dendrolycopodium obscurum; an alternate common name is Flat-branched Tree-clubmoss.

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

More information:
Borealforest.org
Ferns and Fern Allies of Wisconsin
Missouri Plants

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.