Marsh club-moss (Lycopodiella inundata, Preslia 36: 21 (1964))

Family: Lycopodiaceae

Author: (L.) Holub

Bibliography: Preslia 36: 21 (1964)

Year: 1964

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lycopodiella

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

The Marsh Club-Moss, known scientifically as Lycopodiella inundata, is an intriguing plant species belonging to the family Lycopodiaceae. This distinctive plant thrives in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where its unique characteristics and ecological roles contribute to the diverse tapestry of wetland flora.

Lycopodiella inundata prefers moist, boggy environments, often forming dense mats in marshes, wet heaths, and other waterlogged habitats. The plant exhibits a primitive, yet resilient structure that has allowed it to survive and adapt over millennia. Its stems are slender and creeping, frequently rooting at the nodes and producing small, scale-like leaves that are arranged in a spiraled pattern. These leaves, resembling tiny club-mosses, give the plant its common name.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Marsh Club-Moss is its reproductive strategy. As with other members of the Lycopodiaceae family, it reproduces via spores rather than seeds. This method is indicative of its ancient lineage, harking back to a time when spore-producing plants dominated the Earth’s flora. The spores are borne in cone-like structures called strobili, which arise at the tips of upright branches. This reproductive approach allows Lycopodiella inundata to colonize suitable habitats rapidly, ensuring its continued presence in dynamic wetland systems.

In terms of its ecological importance, Lycopodiella inundata plays a vital role in maintaining the health and stability of the ecosystems it inhabits. The dense mats formed by its creeping stems help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion in marshy areas. Additionally, these mats provide a unique microhabitat for various invertebrates and contribute to the overall biodiversity of wetland environments.

Despite its resilience and importance, Lycopodiella inundata faces challenges in many parts of its range. Habitat loss due to land development, drainage of wetlands, and climate change pose threats to its populations. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting and restoring wetland habitats are crucial for the preservation of this species.

Documented in the publication Preslia 36: 21 (1964) by the author (L.) Holub, the Marsh Club-Moss continues to be a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists. Its unique adaptations and role in the ecosystem underscore the importance of conserving wetland habitats to ensure the survival of this and many other specialized plant species.

In summary, Lycopodiella inundata, or Marsh Club-Moss, is a fascinating plant with a rich evolutionary history and significant ecological contributions. Its presence in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere makes it an important component of wetland ecosystems, deserving of ongoing study and conservation efforts.

Common Names

Deu: gewöhnlicher sumpf-bärlapp, moorbärlapp, sumpf-bärlapp, europa-moorbärlapp
Eng: inundated clubmoss, marsh club-moss, marsh clubmoss, inundated bog clubmoss, northern bog clubmoss
Dan: liden ulvefod
Ltz: mouer-äerdmoss
Fra: lycopode inondé, lycopode des marais, lycopode des tourbières, lycopode palustre, lycopodielle inondée
Nld: moeraswolfsklauw
Lav: palu staipeknitis
Swe: strandlummer
Cym: cnwp-fwsogl y gors, cnwpfwsogl y gors
En: Marsh club-moss, Inundated clubmoss, Northern Bog Club-Moss, Marsh clubmoss, Inundated bog clubmoss, Northern bog clubmoss
Be: Дзярэзачка заліўная
Bg: Блатен плаунец
Zh: 小石松
Cs: Plavuňka zaplavovaná
Da: Liden Ulvefod
Nl: Moeraswolfsklauw
Et: Harilik sookold
Fi: Konnanlieko, Tulvakonnanlieko
Fr: Lycopode des marais, Lycopode des tourbières, Lycopode inondé, Lycopode palustre, Lycopodielle inondée
De: Gemeiner Moor-Bärlapp, Gewöhnlicher Sumpf-Bärlapp, Moorbärlapp, Sumpf-Bärlapp, Gewöhnlicher Moorbärlapp, Europa-Moorbärlapp, Sumpfbärlapp
Hu: Mocsári korpafű
It: Licopodio inondato
Lv: Palu staipeknītis, Palu staipeknitis
Lt: Patvankinis pataisiukas
Lb: Mouer-Äerdmoss
No: Myrkråkefot
Fa: پنجه‌گرگی باتلاق
Pl: Widłaczek torfowy
Ru: Плаунок заливаемый
Sv: Strandlummer
Uk: Плаунець заплавний
Cy: Cnwp-fwsogl y gors, Cnwpfwsogl y Gors

Synonyms

• Lycopodium palustre (Lam.)
• Lycopodium inundatum (L.)
• Lepidotis incurva (Opiz)
• Lycopodium inundatum var. typicum (Wherry)
• Plananthus inundatus ((L.) P.Beauv.)
• Lepidotis inundata ((L.) Opiz)
• Lycopodium inundatum var. rigidium (Spring)
• Lycopodium inundatum f. furcatum (Fernald)
• Lycopodium inundatum f. funiforme (Noiselle ex Nessel)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Montana (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jul 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Aurélien DAVROUX (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2006 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by inge van halder (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Doc Lingo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2021 by Beauty Krusty (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 28, 2018 by Anton Heuven (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 22, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2688345)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:146933-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lycopodiella inundata (L.) Holub)

Specifications

Growth habit: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 4.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 1