Description: Terrestrial plants with stems differentiated into 2 systems; a ± horizontal branched system of elongate main stems that creep or climb over the surface or subterranean rhizomes that root at intervals, and erect to ascending, very divided aerial branchlet systems with growth terminating in strobili. Branchlets terete, with leaves spiral to ± whorled or distinctly flattened and in rows.
Leaves similar or varying in shape and size.
Strobili terminal, erect, sessile or pedunculate, or pendent to nodding; sporophylls broad-ovate to triangular; sporangia attached to sporophyll base; spores reticulate. Gametophytes subterranean, tuberous, fully saprophytic.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 40 spp., temperate and tropical regions. Australia: 4 spp., Qld, N.S.W., Vic., Tas., S.A.
Lycopodium scariosum has been recorded as occurring in Koskciuszko N.P. This species has ( prostrate stems, with foliage leaves of two sorts with the 2 dorsal rows flattened into one plane and 3-5 mm long, and the leaves in the lower 2 rows scale-like. It grows in alpine swamps or bogs.
Text by Peter G. Wilson (2000)
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 1 Suppl. (2000)
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Stems with strobili immediately above foliage; leaves dense and scale-like below strobili but differentiated from lower leaves; strobili 1–2 cm long | Lycopodium deuterodensum |
| Stems with strobili projecting above foliage on a stalk; leaves scattered, appressed and scale-like below strobili, differentiated from lower leaves; strobili mostly 3–5 cm long | Lycopodium fastigiatum |
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