Running Clubmoss (Staghorn Clubmoss) (Lycopodium clavatum)

Detailed information for an alpine or subalpine species recorded along Howker Ridge Trail. Use the back link to return to the catalog.

Short Description

Running Clubmoss is an intriguing relic of the Carboniferous age, often noticed as a **bright green, ground-hugging "miniature pine"** along trails. In the Howker Ridge area’s mixed forests, you’ll see it crawling over moss and humus, with prostrate stems several feet long that send up vertical shoots. The horizontal stems are slender (like green “cords”) that root at intervals, creating extensive mats. From these, upright **branchlets** rise 2–5 inches, looking like tiny fir trees or bottle-brushes. These upright shoots are densely covered in small, spirally-arranged leaves (microphylls) that are only a few millimeters long and narrow, giving a soft, feathery appearance. In summer, at the tips of some upright shoots you’ll spot 1–3 pale yellow **spore cones** (strobili), each about 1–2 inches long, resembling little club-like candles – hence names like "Staghorn" or "Wolf’s-claw" clubmoss. The plant’s texture is soft but wiry, and it stays green through winter under the snow. Running Clubmoss often forms large colonies in undisturbed woods, sometimes covering several square yards of forest floor like a green carpet. Its presence on Howker Ridge’s forest floor adds to the primeval, lush look of the understory.

TYPE

Clubmoss

ELEVATION

0–4,500 ft

HABITAT

Open woods, forest edges, and mossy clearings; often on dry, acidic or sandy soil in upland forests

BLOOM / SEASON

Non-flowering (clubmoss; produces yellowish spore cones in midsummer)

LEAF & STEM

A creeping perennial vascular plant (though non-flowering) that resembles a moss but is actually a clubmoss (Lycophyte). It has two growth forms: long horizontal stems that run along the ground (up to 3+ feet long) and ascending lateral shoots that stand upright 5–15 cm (2–6 inches) tall. The horizontal stems are much-branched, rooting occasionally, and covered in tiny overlapping scale-like leaves ~3–5 mm long. The upright shoots also bear many small leaves arranged spirally around the stem, giving a bristly, “bushy” appearance. Toward the tips of some upright shoots, the leaves become modified into reproductive structures; here the plant produces **strobili** – cylindrical cones consisting of tightly packed, yellowish sporophylls (spore-bearing leaves). These spore cones are borne on slender stalks that rise above the foliage, often in pairs. The spores themselves are extremely fine, yellow dust-like particles produced in summer. (Historically these spores were known as lycopodium powder.) No true flowers or seeds are produced. The overall form of the plant is creeping and mat-forming; unlike true mosses, clubmoss has xylem/phloem (vascular tissue) and tends to have a tougher, more wiry feel. When dry, the plant can appear pale and brittle, but it quickly greens up with moisture.

SIMILAR SPECIES

The forest floor of New Hampshire hosts a few similar **clubmosses** (also called ground-pines or ground-cedars). **Tree Clubmoss (Dendrolycopodium obscurum)**, often called Princess Pine, is upright (4–8 inches tall) and looks like a tiny evergreen tree, rather than having long running stems – it doesn’t form extensive prostrate runners like Running Clubmoss. **Shining Clubmoss (Huperzia lucidulum)** grows in clumps, not mats, with thicker unbranched spires and no strobili on stalks (its spore cases are in leaf axils). Running Clubmoss is unique in its combination of long creeping runners and upright, cone-tipped shoots. Superficially, patches of it might be mistaken for moss or even seedling conifers from a distance. It’s also sometimes confused with **Trailing Juniper (an actual conifer shrub)** when not closely observed, but juniper has woody stems and true scale-like foliage with berries, whereas clubmoss is soft and spore-bearing. Among non-experts, all clubmosses might look alike – however, Running Clubmoss’s **rope-like ground stems** and frequent yellow clubbed cones are a good giveaway.

ECOLOGY

Running Clubmoss is a survivor from an ancient lineage, and it fills a modest ecological niche in modern forests. As a groundcover in upland woods, it helps prevent erosion by carpeting the soil, especially on slopes or embankments. Its dense mats can suppress other small plants, which is one reason it often forms a singular layer in acidic, nutrient-poor soils where competition is limited. It prefers undisturbed sites – it often disappears from areas that are regularly trampled, farmed, or burned. The plant’s spores are highly flammable (once used as flash powder in old photography), but in nature the fine spores likely travel only short distances; the main spread is vegetative, creeping outward each year. Clubmoss provides minor cover for tiny forest floor fauna – salamanders or insects may hide under its runners. It is not a significant food source due to its high content of unpalatable compounds; deer or rodents generally avoid eating it. Interestingly, the sprawling mats can act as "nurse plants" by retaining moisture in their microhabitat, creating slightly cooler, damper conditions at ground level which might aid seedling survival of some trees or support mosses and fungi in their midst. Historically, humans have used Lycopodium powder (the spores) as a water-repellent dust (for medical gloves, etc.) and in magic tricks for fire effects, but these uses have diminished. Ecologically, Running Clubmoss is often a pioneer on the forest floor after glaciation or in new soils – but being slow-growing, it requires stable conditions. It often indicates an area of relatively long undisturbed ground. In sum, it’s a quiet presence – a living fossil that knits the forest floor together and reminds us of the primeval past.

STATUS

Running Clubmoss is globally secure (G5) and abundant in New England forests. In the White Mountains it’s a familiar sight along trails and in pine or spruce-fir woods at mid elevations. It has no legal protection status in this region due to its commonness. However, in some parts of Europe (and a few U.S. states), related clubmosses have seen declines due to over-collection and habitat loss – clubmosses were once harvested extensively for holiday decorations (e.g., Christmas wreaths) and for their spores. Today, such practices are reduced, and in the White Mountains most populations are untouched and flourishing. The species is sensitive to heavy disturbance: frequent trampling or conversion of forest to pasture will eliminate it (it cannot survive plowing or high-traffic trails). But in protected forests of the WMNF, it is thriving. One notable aspect: clubmosses have slow reproductive cycles – their spores can take years to germinate in the soil (often needing a symbiotic fungus), so recovery from depletion is very slow. For that reason, some places discourage gathering clubmoss. In the UK, a similar clubmoss is listed as a priority conservation species due to rarity, but in our region Running Clubmoss remains common. Overall, as long as large tracts of forest remain intact, this ancient plant will continue creeping through our woodlands. Hikers can help by sticking to trails to avoid unnecessarily crushing the delicate “ferns of old.”

Field Notes

A creeping perennial vascular plant (though non-flowering) that resembles a moss but is actually a clubmoss (Lycophyte). It has two growth forms: long horizontal stems that run along the ground (up to 3+ feet long) and ascending lateral shoots that stand upright 5–15 cm (2–6 inches) tall. The horizontal stems are much-branched, rooting occasionally, and covered in tiny overlapping scale-like leaves ~3–5 mm long. The upright shoots also bear many small leaves arranged spirally around the stem, giving a bristly, “bushy” appearance. Toward the tips of some upright shoots, the leaves become modified into reproductive structures; here the plant produces **strobili** – cylindrical cones consisting of tightly packed, yellowish sporophylls (spore-bearing leaves). These spore cones are borne on slender stalks that rise above the foliage, often in pairs. The spores themselves are extremely fine, yellow dust-like particles produced in summer. (Historically these spores were known as lycopodium powder.) No true flowers or seeds are produced. The overall form of the plant is creeping and mat-forming; unlike true mosses, clubmoss has xylem/phloem (vascular tissue) and tends to have a tougher, more wiry feel. When dry, the plant can appear pale and brittle, but it quickly greens up with moisture.
Running Clubmoss is a survivor from an ancient lineage, and it fills a modest ecological niche in modern forests. As a groundcover in upland woods, it helps prevent erosion by carpeting the soil, especially on slopes or embankments. Its dense mats can suppress other small plants, which is one reason it often forms a singular layer in acidic, nutrient-poor soils where competition is limited. It prefers undisturbed sites – it often disappears from areas that are regularly trampled, farmed, or burned. The plant’s spores are highly flammable (once used as flash powder in old photography), but in nature the fine spores likely travel only short distances; the main spread is vegetative, creeping outward each year. Clubmoss provides minor cover for tiny forest floor fauna – salamanders or insects may hide under its runners. It is not a significant food source due to its high content of unpalatable compounds; deer or rodents generally avoid eating it. Interestingly, the sprawling mats can act as "nurse plants" by retaining moisture in their microhabitat, creating slightly cooler, damper conditions at ground level which might aid seedling survival of some trees or support mosses and fungi in their midst. Historically, humans have used Lycopodium powder (the spores) as a water-repellent dust (for medical gloves, etc.) and in magic tricks for fire effects, but these uses have diminished. Ecologically, Running Clubmoss is often a pioneer on the forest floor after glaciation or in new soils – but being slow-growing, it requires stable conditions. It often indicates an area of relatively long undisturbed ground. In sum, it’s a quiet presence – a living fossil that knits the forest floor together and reminds us of the primeval past.
Running Clubmoss is globally secure (G5) and abundant in New England forests. In the White Mountains it’s a familiar sight along trails and in pine or spruce-fir woods at mid elevations. It has no legal protection status in this region due to its commonness. However, in some parts of Europe (and a few U.S. states), related clubmosses have seen declines due to over-collection and habitat loss – clubmosses were once harvested extensively for holiday decorations (e.g., Christmas wreaths) and for their spores. Today, such practices are reduced, and in the White Mountains most populations are untouched and flourishing. The species is sensitive to heavy disturbance: frequent trampling or conversion of forest to pasture will eliminate it (it cannot survive plowing or high-traffic trails). But in protected forests of the WMNF, it is thriving. One notable aspect: clubmosses have slow reproductive cycles – their spores can take years to germinate in the soil (often needing a symbiotic fungus), so recovery from depletion is very slow. For that reason, some places discourage gathering clubmoss. In the UK, a similar clubmoss is listed as a priority conservation species due to rarity, but in our region Running Clubmoss remains common. Overall, as long as large tracts of forest remain intact, this ancient plant will continue creeping through our woodlands. Hikers can help by sticking to trails to avoid unnecessarily crushing the delicate “ferns of old.”

Howker Ridge • Plant