interrupted clubmoss
ExplorePlants
interrupted clubmoss
Spinulum annotinum
The interrupted clubmoss is a special plant that looks like a tiny tree! It has green, needle-like leaves and grows in shady, damp places. This plant is very old and has been around since the time of dinosaurs!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The interrupted clubmoss has upright, branching stems covered in small, needle-like green leaves, giving it a spiky texture. Its unique cone-like spore structures (strobili) are distinctively "interrupted" by a section of regular leaves along the stem.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLycopodiopsidaOrderLycopodialesFamilyLycopodiaceaeGenusSpinulum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Clubmoss spores were once used as flash powder for early photography!
Despite its name, it's not a moss at all, but a "living fossil" plant!
Its ancient ancestors were tree-sized giants millions of years ago!
Some people believe finding clubmoss brings good luck in the forest!
Special abilities
Ability
Ancient Spore Power
Interrupted clubmoss reproduces using tiny spores, an ancient survival method allowing it to spread widely without needing flowers or seeds.
Ability
Underground Networker
It grows long underground stems called rhizomes, creating a hidden network that helps it spread across the forest floor and survive.
Ability
Year-Round Green
This clubmoss stays green even in winter, letting it make food from sunlight whenever possible, unlike plants that lose their leaves.
Ability
Unique Spore Towers
Its spore-bearing cones are uniquely 'interrupted' by regular leaves, creating distinctive towers that release spores for reproduction.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer may occasionally browse its tough, evergreen leaves.
depends on
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
Thrives in the cool, shaded understory provided by pine trees.
shelters
Masked Shrew
Sorex cinereus
Small shrews often find cover within its dense, low-growing stems.
Traits
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is interrupted clubmoss?
10-30 cm
Is interrupted clubmoss edible?
No
Is interrupted clubmoss toxic?
None
What is interrupted clubmoss's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is interrupted clubmoss usually found?
Forests
Snap Map
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