NEW ENGLAND CLUB-MOSS KEY

1. Spore-bearing leaves similar to sterile leaves, in zones on vertical stem; propagating gemmae at top;

lacking horizontal rhizome [Huperzia] - 2

1' Spore-bearing leaves different than sterile leaves, on separate strobilus; no gemmae;

horizontal rhizomes connect vertical stems - 4

2. Leaves at bottom longer, less appressed than those at top; gemmae stalks throughout zones - H. appressa

2' Leaves at top and bottom of same length and angle; gemmae stalks in rings only - 3

3. Leaves toothed, widest near tip; annual constrictions evident - H. lucidula

3' Leaves nearly entire, widest near base; annual constrictions not evident - H. selago

4. Horizontal rhizomes surficial; vertical stems unbranched; no annual constrictions [Lycopodiella] - 5

4' Horizontal rhizomes surficial or underground; vertical stems branched; annual constrictions - 6

5. Fertile leaves spreading; horizontal stem narrow; mostly one vertical shoot per plant - L. inundata

5' Fertile leaves appressed; horizontal stem wide; several vertical shoots per plant - L. appressa

5" Fertile leaves spreading; robust; horizontal stems rootless at prominent arches - L. alopecuroides

6. Branches flat, with 4 ranks of leaves [Diphasiastrum] - 7

6' Branches round, with 5 ranks of leaves - Diphasiastrum sitchense

6" Branches with 6 ranks of leaves, strobili sessile [(Dendro)Lycopodium] - 9

6"' Branches with 8-10 ranks of spine-tipped leaves, strobili sessile [Lycopodium (Spinulum) - 11

6"" Branches with 12-20 ranks of hair-tipped leaves, strobili stalked [Lycopodium] - 12

7. Plant blue-grey, conical, underside leaves overlap, horizontal stem deep - Diphasiastrum tristachyum

7' Plant green, underside leaves too short to overlap, " surficial - 8

8. Looks flat-topped, no annual constrictions on vertical branches - D. digitatum

8' Looks raggedy, annual constrictions on vertical branches - D. complanatum

9. Leaves on stem spreading, prickly; branch x- section round, no axial symmetry - L. dendroideum

9' Leaves on stem appressed, branch cross section with axial symmetry - 10

10. Branches round - L. hickeyi

10' Branches flat - L. obscurum

11. Most (10-ranked) tropophylls lack stomates on upper surface - S. annotinum

11' (8-ranked) tropophylls have stomates on upper surface - S. canadense

12. Branches and tropophylls more spreading;strobili mostly multiple candlabras - L. clavatum

12' Branches and tropophylls more ascending; strobili single (or tightly paired) - L. lagopus

(some of this is borrowed from Arthur Haines)

Don Lubin ... donlubin@comcast.net