Lycopodium selago. The Fir Club Moss.
Lycopodium inundatum. Here the specific name has reference to the fact that this Club Moss grows in situations which are often under water. The Marsh Club Moss.
This is a peculiarly interesting species, in that it is the only British Club Moss to be found in lowland districts. The stems of the plants are prostrate, and these are so closely fixed to the soil with strong roots that it is almost impossible to remove a specimen without taking away the soil as well. The fertile branches rise in a very direct manner to the height of two or three inches, and these, like the main stems, are thickly covered with narrow leaves, which have sharp points. The fructification is produced in the autumn, the capsules being borne between leaf-like scales at the upper part of the shoot. A singular thing about the Marsh Club Moss is that one end of the creeping stem is always decaying, and an individual plant is rarely more than a few inches in length. In the winter only the growing tip of the plant remains, and from this the whole of the new development arises.
The Marsh Club Moss is comparatively rare in the North of England, though in the South and West it is often to be found. As a rule it occurs in large isolated patches, and one may hunt for some distance around before finding any more specimens. It likes a thoroughly wet situation, and on this account is soon stamped out when any schemes of land drainage are undertaken.
Lycopodium alpinum. In this case the specific name is simply a reference to the fact that this Club Moss grows in mountainous districts. The Alpine Club Moss.
This species has long creeping stems which are rather bare of leaves. From these, however, spring the upright branches which are thickly covered with foliage; every one of the leaves terminates in a point. The Alpine Club Moss is an evergreen plant, and it is of a very bright green colour. The branches which bear the fertile spikes are somewhat taller than the barren ones, and these are often twice forked. The cone bears a number of thin scales, and between each of these and the stem is to be found the kidney-shaped capsules.
The Alpine Club Moss is often to be found in great abundance in elevated districts in Scotland and Ireland. It seems to be most happy in elevated situations.
Lycopodium annotinum. In this case the specific name is from the Latin term signifying “a year old.” This is an allusion to the fact that the yearly additions to the plant are very evident. The Interrupted Club Moss.
This species at first sight is sometimes taken for the Common Club Moss. It is, however, readily distinguished when its branches are examined; these are increased annually by an addition which is very plainly to be observed. It is seen that at these periods the leaves are smaller and much less inclined to spread than in the normal forms. At times the branches divide, and at the tip of some of the upright shoots occur the fertile cones. Each one of these is about an inch long, and it is covered with bracts upon which the spore capsules are borne. The Interrupted Club Moss is a fine species, and is of a pale green colour.
This is probably the rarest of our native Club Mosses. In some parts of Scotland it is said to be abundant, but the plant is always a local one. It has been found in the North of England, though it is decidedly uncommon.