#lycophyta

Undisclosed Hocking Hills Location pt 2: Huperzia lucidula and Polypodium virginianum on sandstone cliffs

The club moss Diphasiastrum digitatum is up there with skunk cabbage as a plant that I completely obsess over when I find it. It’s just so charming.

We are such fans of this clubmoss. #BotanyHumor According to Mary Holland’s book ‘Naturally Curious’ clubmosses are related to ferns, as both groups produce spores as opposed to seeds. Clubmosses are green this time of year and look like miniature evergreen trees. Although small, they take a long time to grow and the one in this picture is likely over 20 years old. Many species are protected and should not be collected for holiday decorations. Another fun fact that Holland mentions in her book is that dried clubmoss spores are flammable. They were historically used in photography and theatre to produce flashes of light. #MaryHolland #NaturallyCurious #FanClubmoss #Lycophyta #NovemberInVermont (at Birds of Vermont Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWi7pe4P9HK/?utm_medium=tumblr