Princess Pine

Here is another local evergreen, Lycopodium obscurum, with the common names of Princess Pine, Ground Pine, and Tree Clubmoss. Some of these names are misleading, as this little being is not of the Pine family but of the Clubmoss family, Lycopodiaceae. They might look like little evergreen conifers, but reproduce by spores rather than cone and seed. They also multiply by way of underground creeping stems.

Tree Clubmoss is often seen this time of year in Christmas wreaths. It would seem kindly to harvest sparingly, having caution to not disturb the underground rhizomes.