Like the Canada mayflower and star flower described in a recent post, Princess pine (Lycopodium obscurum) is another common forest understory plant in Bourne’s forests. Also called flat-branched tree-clubmoss or ground pine, Princess pine is a North American species of clubmoss. The names “clubmoss” and “ground pine”, however, confuse L. obscurum’s  position in the plant world, being neither moss nor a low-growing conifer.  They are instead more closely related to horsetails and ferns.  Princess pines do, however, have the appearance of tiny, thickly branched pine trees with oversized cones (or “clubs”). Historically, Princess pines were harvested to make Christmas wreaths and other decorations, due to the fact that they remain green all winter. Over harvesting, and their slow growth has caused the plant to be listed as threatened in some states.

Princess pines produce two types of above-ground structures: green scale-like leaves, each with a single unbranched vein, that cover most of the aerial shoots, and yellow to tan sporophylls (the “clubs”) that contain the plant’s reproductive spores. Between one and twelve of these structures can be produced from a single individual. These sporophylls are produced in late summer, but last year’s empty sporophylls remain on many of the Princess pines in the area. Unique to this time of year, however, is the new growth on the green branches evidenced by the light green tips of each branch.  Interestingly, although its above ground parts are rarely more than 6 inches tall, the majority of the plant is actually underground in the form of a subterranean rhizome.

New growth at the tips of the branches.