330 



THE PTERIDOPHYTES 



320. Lycopodium. Lycopodium includes the larger club 

 mosses, frequently called lycopods, and are distinguished by hav- 

 ing needle-like leaves arranged spirally on the stem (Fig. 286) 

 and similar spores (homosporous). The stems are of two forms : 

 (1) creeping stems, close to the ground and frequently buried 



FIG. 286. A club moss (Lycopodium annotinum) 

 Modified after Kerner 



under leaves and other forest debris, and (2) upright sterns, very 

 much branched in some species and bearing the cones like 

 clubs at their ends. Some of the larger species are very common 

 in the northern woods, the long, creeping stems often growing 

 thickly over the ground. The stem is generally quite woody in 

 structure, and the leaves are evergreen. They are much used 

 in holiday decoration, and certain species are in danger of extinc- 

 tion, since the club mosses reproduce very slowly. 



