Lycopodiella caroliniana (L.) Pic.Serm.

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.

  • Family

    Lycopodiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Lycopodiella caroliniana (L.) Pic.Serm.

  • Description

    Species Description - Horizontal branches appressed to the soil, rooting along their length; stems (excl. leaves) ca. 1 mm diam.; leaves somewhat dimorphic, the upperside ones linear, more or less appressed, entire, 3–4 mm long, the lateral ones somewhat appressed to the substrate, the underside ones lanceolate, spreading, 4–5 mm long, entire; peduncles 20–30 cm long, with appressed leaves, these distant in pseudowhorls of 3, 3–4 mm long, entire; strobili erect, 2–6 cm x 5–8 mm (incl. spreading sporophylls), sporophylls 1/6–1/8 the branch length, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, entire, ca. 3 mm long; 2n =70, 140 (USA), 78 (Europe).

  • Discussion

    Lycopodium carolinianum L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1104. 1753. Syntype. Dillenius s.n., Hist. Musc., t. 62, f. 6.

    Lycopodium meridionale Underw. & F. E. Lloyd, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 33: 121. 1906. Lycopodium carolinianum L. var. meridionale (Underw. & F. E. Lloyd) Nessel, Ba¨rlappgewa¨chse 271. 1939. Pseudolycopodiella meridionalis (Underw. & F. E. Lloyd) Holub, Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 18: 442. 1983. Lycopodiella caroliniana (L.) Pic. Serm. var. meridionalis (Underw. & F. E. Lloyd) B. Øllg. & P. G. Windisch, Bradea 5: 27. 1987. Type. Puerto Rico. Luquillo Mts, Wilson 94 (NY!).

    This species is distinct by the flattened terrestrial stems and sparse leaves of the peduncles. Material of this species from tropical America is usually placed in var. meridionalis.

  • Distribution

    Wet meadows, ditches; 0–50 m. E USA; Mexico; Guat, Bel, Hond, Salv, Nic, Pan; Gr & L Ant; Col, Ven, Guy, Sur, Fr Gui, Ec, Peru.

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