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Trailing Clubmoss - Lycopodium complanatum
Other Names:
Diphasiastrum complanatum
Native Species
Global Rank:
G5
State Rank:
S4
(see State Rank Reason below)
C-value:
7
Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
BLM:
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
DRAFT: Requesting feedback on the 2026 revised rank, factors, and State Rank Reason outlined below and in the Conservation Status Rank Report.
Lycopodium complanatum is uncommon, though relatively widespread in Montana, occurring primarily in the northwest portion of the state with outliers in southern and central mountain ranges. Population levels and trends are undocumented. However, the species appears to be common and widespread enough, and threats appear to be low, resulting in the species appearing to be relatively secure in the state at this time.
Surveys and periodic monitoring of some occurrences are needed to be able to determine population size, trends and potential threats and to be able to accurately review the species rank in the future.
General Description
Stems prostrate on or just below ground. Shoots 10–25 cm; branches strongly flattened. Leaves 4-ranked, appressed, clasping, overlapping; lateral pair linear, dorsal and ventral much shorter. Strobili 1 to 3, pedunculate, 1–9 cm long. Sporophylls 2–3 mm long, fan-shaped with an abrupt point. Shoots resemble twigs of western redcedar (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
In MT in the northwestern counties; AK to Greenland South to OR, MT, WI and NY (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 59
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Stewardship Responsibility
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
- Web Search Engines for Articles on "Trailing Clubmoss"
