THE /l/aERICp BQTPIST. 



Vol. IV. BINGHAMTON, N. Y., MAY, 1903. No. 5. 



LYCOPODIUMS OF THE GREEN MOUNTAINS. 



BY FRANK DOBBINS. 



DURING the past summer, while spending some time 

 among the Green Mountains in southern Vermont 

 my attention was particularly^ attracted to the group of 

 cryptogamous plants known as the Lycopodiums. There 

 are several species to be found in that region, some of them 

 being quite abundant. To come upon a bed of these plants 

 in the depths of the forest or on the bank of a mountain 

 torrent, where they cover the ground like a rich green car- 

 pet, is a delightful experience to the lover of nature. They 

 are not confined, however, to the woods. The finest bed 

 of Lycopodium complanatum or trailing Christmas-green 

 that I ever saw was in the open along a wall bordering an 

 old orchard. Although this plant is often sterile and a 

 fruiting portion not always easily found, here the fertile 

 spikes were yqvj much in evidence. 



Perhaps the most beautiful member of this group of 

 plants \s Lycopodium clavatum or running pine. Its long 

 stems creep over the ground often for yards. It is of the 

 most vivid green and is very effective when used in decor- 

 ation. This and the preceeding species furnish the Lyco- 

 podium powder or vegetable sulphur often used for stage 

 effects. Perhaps we should state that this powder is the 

 minute spores which in these two species are produced in 

 great abundance. When dry it is highly inflamable. 



The plants of Lycopodium ohscurum another species 

 to be found in the same localities, very much resemble a 

 miniature evergreen tree. This is knowm as the ground 

 pine and has less of the running or trailing character than 

 those just mentioned. 



