S. Leonard Bastin

As we have seen, the living species of the Club Mosses are comparatively insignificant plants. None the less, most of them are attractive each in its own way, and it is interesting to be able to identify the different kinds. First of all we may consider the five species of Lycopodium.

Lycopodium clavatum. Here the generic name is derived from two Greek words—lukos, “a wall,” and pous, “a foot.” One of the popular names of the plant is Wolf’s Claw; possibly an allusion to the curious branching-stem, although it must be confessed that the plant is not very claw-like. The specific name is derived from the Latin clava, “a club”; this having reference to the cones, or club, which bears the sporangia. The Stag’s Horn Moss, or the Common Club Moss.

Lycopodium Clavatum. The Common Club Moss.

This species has wiry stems of considerable length, sometimes measuring as much as six or eight feet. These run along close to the soil, to which they are attached at intervals by strong roots. The stems which branch in all directions are covered with small narrow leaves, each of which ends in a curious little bristle. This gives to the whole plant a singular grey appearance. These hair-like points to the leaves may be regarded as a distinct feature of the Common Club Moss. In the autumn the fruiting spikes of the Common Club Moss are borne on the ends of erect stalks. The cones are generally about an inch in length, and at times as many as two or three of them may be allotted to each stalk. If closely examined it will be found that the fruiting spikes are composed of a number of leaf-like bracts, each one of which bears the case filled with spores. After the dispersal of the spores the cones fall off, but the plant as a whole remains green throughout the winter.

The Common Club Moss is often very abundant upon the moors of the North of England, and also in Scotland and in Wales. On account of its creeping habit of growth the plant is often overlooked, and few people realize that this Club Moss is really very common. Sometimes single plants cover huge areas of ground, and many of the trailing stems are several feet in length. The spores of this, in common with those of other Lycopodiums, are inflammable; and in the old days these were used in the manufacture of fireworks.

Lycopodium selago. In this case the specific name of selago was that formerly given to all the Club Mosses. The Fir Club Moss.

This is a very pretty little plant, which, on account of its upright habit of growth, attracts a good deal of attention. The stems vary from about three to six inches in height, and these rise upwards from a main stem which sometimes, but not always, trails along the ground for a short distance. The branches are very thickly covered with leaves which overlap one another, and are very stiff. Indeed, the whole plant is covered with the foliage, which, being narrow and pointed, is almost bristle-like in appearance. The colour of the foliage is bright green. The spore capsules are present in the axils of the uppermost leaves of the branches, and these are kidney-shaped. The Fir Club Moss is also very commonly propagated by means of special little buds which appear at the tops of the branches. When these are developed they fall to the ground, and give rise to fresh plants.

The Fir Club Moss is probably almost as common as the Common Club Moss. It should, however, be looked for on elevated moors and the slopes of mountains.

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.

In the United Kingdom there is only one native species of Selaginella.

Selaginella spinosa. In this case the generic name is derived from the name Selago; actually the name means “a little Club Moss.” The specific name has reference to the tiny spines on the margins of the leaves. The Lesser Alpine Club Moss.

This plant is, of course, very distinct from the Lycopodium, in that it produces two kinds of spores. The Lesser Alpine Club Moss is a small plant with both prostrate and upright stems. The leaves are very tiny, and owing to their semi-transparent nature the whole plant is of a pale green colour. Some of the upright stems are barren, but a certain proportion bear the spore capsules in the axils of the small leaves. In the upper part of the cone occur the capsules containing the microspores, whilst in the lower portion are to be found the sporangia, each of which produces three or four megaspores.

The Lesser Alpine Club Moss is probably more common than is generally supposed, especially in the North of England. It grows in damp situations and is often very much mixed up with other herbage, so that it is easily overlooked. It is now necessary to describe the two or three curious little plants which are closely related to the Ferns and Club Mosses.

IsoËtes lacustris. In this case the generic name originates in two Greek words—isos, “equal,” and etos, “a year.” This has reference to the fact that the plant keeps its leaves all through the year and does not alter in appearance. The specific name lacustris is derived from the Latin word lacus, a lake, and is an allusion to the fact that the plant grows in such a situation. The Quillwort.

This is an interesting little plant which is entirely aquatic in its habits. The Quillwort has a tuberous root-stock, and from this arise a large number of dark green leaves, somewhat resembling quills in shape. These are about three or four inches in length, and when the plant is growing in quantity in some pool, it is often taken for a kind of grass. At the base of the leaves, partly protected by the sheathing, are to be found the spore capsules. These cases are of two kinds, those on the outermost rows of leaves containing the large spores, and those on the inner leaves being responsible for the small spores.

The Quillwort is often abundant in mountain lakes in Scotland and the North of England. Owing to its habit of growth, however, the plant is usually unnoticed by the majority of people.

Another species of Quillwort—IsoËtes Hystrix—occurs in the Channel Islands, but it has not been found elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Pilularia globulifera. In this case the generic name is formed from the Latin word pilula, “a little pill,” this being a reference to the curious pill-like spore capsules which the plant produces. The specific name of globulifera is made up from two Latin words—globus, “a ball,” and fero, “I carry.” This is another allusion to the rounded sporangia. The Pillwort.

This is a curious little plant with a very slender creeping root-stock. From this are sent down small tufts of roots into the damp soil in which the plant grows. From the upper part of the stem arise the leaves, which are bristle-shaped, two or three inches in length, and of an intensely bright green colour. It is interesting to note that in their young state these leaves uncoil very much in the same manner to be noticed in the Ferns. The spore cases are situated at the point where the leaf arises from the root-stock. Externally these are densely covered with brown hairs, and they are just about the size of a small pea. The sporangia are four-celled, and when the time for the dispersal of the spores arrive, the cases split open. The spores are of two kinds, and both sorts are present in the same sporangia. The large spores are confined to the lower portion of the case, the small ones to the upper part.

The Pillwort is common in some parts of England, though less so in Scotland and Ireland. It always grows in very damp situations, though it is rarely found submerged, save when this happens as the result of flooding. The Pillwort so often grows mixed up with grass, which in some ways it resembles, that the plant is frequently overlooked.

Azolla caroliniana. Here the generic name is derived from two Greek words—azo, “to dry,” and ollo, “to kill”—an allusion to the fact that dryness is fatal to the well-being of the plant. The specific name has reference to the fact that the plant is very abundant in Carolina, though as a matter of fact it occurs in other parts of the world. It should be pointed out that the Azolla is not a native of the United Kingdom, but it has become well established in some parts of the South of England.

During the summer time the Azolla, which is a floating plant, increases with great rapidity, sometimes completely covering the surface of a lake. At first the fronds, which are exquisitely beautiful, are of a silver-green colour; towards the autumn they assume a bright crimson tint. Underneath the fronds are produced a large quantity of roots which hang down into the water. Two kinds of spores are produced. The microspores are packed away in cases which are provided with curious barbed contrivances. The megaspores bear hooks, and in this way the two processes become attached. The Azolla is a pretty plant to grow in an aquarium, though where it has been able to make itself at home it will sometimes increase so vigorously that all other vegetation is killed.