Family: Lycopodiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1104 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Lycopodium
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Description
Christmas green, scientifically known as Lycopodium complanatum, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Lycopodiaceae family. The first formal description of this species was documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, appearing in his seminal work “Species Plantarum.”
This unique plant thrives predominantly in subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its distinctive appearance, characterized by flattened stems and delicate, scale-like leaves, renders it a noteworthy specimen within its native habitats. Christmas green prefers cool climates and is often found in forested areas, heaths, and tundra landscapes where it contributes to the biodiversity and ecological complexity of these regions.
The presence of Lycopodium complanatum in such climates highlights its adaptability and resilience in less hospitable environments. This plant plays a significant role in traditional holiday decorations, earning its common name “Christmas green” due to its vivid, evergreen foliage which is particularly sought after during the winter season. Additionally, it holds ecological importance by providing ground cover that helps prevent soil erosion and supports various forms of wildlife.
The historic account of Christmas green, set forth by Linnaeus, has paved the way for ongoing research and conservation efforts aimed at understanding and preserving this botanical treasure. Whether appreciated for its beauty or its ecological contributions, Lycopodium complanatum continues to enchant botanists, conservationists, and holiday enthusiasts alike.
Common Names
En: Christmas green, Creeping jenny, Groundcedar, Flat-stemmed Clubmoss, American clubmoss, Trailing Clubmoss, Northern ground-cedar, Northern running-pine, American Club Moss
Da: Flad ulvefod
Nl: Vlakke Wolfsklauw
Fi: Keltalieko
Fr: Lycopode aplati
De: Echter Flachbärlapp, Gewöhnlicher Flachbärlapp, Flachgedrückter Bärlapp, Gemeiner Flachbärlapp
It: Licopodio spianato
Nb: Viftejamne
Nn: Viftejamne
Sv: Keltalieko, Plattlummer, Jämna
Synonyms
- Diphasiastrum wilceae (Ivanenko)
- Lycopodium complanatum subvar. proliferum (Farw.)
- Lycopodium complanatum f. simplex (Vict.)
- Lycopodium complanatum f. brachypodum (Fernald)
- Lycopodium complanatum subvar. foliaceum (Farw.)
- Lycopodium complanatum subvar. recurvatum (C.F.Reed)
- Diphasiastrum montellii ((Kukkonen) Miniaev & Ivanenko)
- Lycopodium complanatum var. flabellatum (Döll)
- Diphasiastrum hastulatum ((Sipliv.) Stepanov)
- Lepidotis complanata ((L.) P.Beauv.)
- Diphasiastrum complanatum f. montellii ((Kukkonen) Feilberg)
- Diphasiastrum complanatum subsp. montellii ((Kukkonen) Kukkonen)
- Diphasiastrum complanatum ((L.) Holub)
- Diphasium hastulatum (Sipliv.)
- Diphasiastrum complanatum var. dilatatum ((Nakai ex H.Hara) Satou)
- Lycopodium complanatum var. anceps (Asch.)
- Diphasium complanatum ((L.) Rothm.)
- Lycopodium complanatum subsp. anceps ((Asch.) Asch. & Graebn.)
- Diphasium wallrothii (H.P.Fuchs)
- Lycopodium complanatum f. canadense (Porsild)
- Lycopodium complanatum f. typicum (Porsild)
- Diphasium complanatum subsp. montellii (Kukkonen)
- Lycopodium wilceae ((Ivanenko) X.C.Zhang)
- Lycopodium complanatum subsp. montellii ((Kukkonen) Karlsson)
- Diphasiastrum complanatum subsp. hastulatum ((Sipliv.) Ivanenko & Tzvelev)
- Diphasium anceps ((Asch.) Á.Löve & D.Löve)
- Stachygynandrum complanatum ((L.) C.Presl)
- Lycopodium complanatum var. canadense (Vict.)
- Lycopodium comptonioides (Desv.)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Assam (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Finland (native)
- Germany (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Idaho (native)
- India (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Nunavut (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Poland (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Apr 27, 2021 by M H (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2022 by Heidi Saajola (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Other
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Habit
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Bark
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Fruit
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:147262-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lycopodium complanatum L.)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9822879)