Kingdom Plantae Class Lycopodiopsida Family Lycopodiaceae Rank Species | Division Pteridophyta Order Isoetales Genus Lycopodiella | |
 | ||
Similar Lycopodiella, Lycopodiella cernua, Lycopodiella inundata, Lycopodiaceae, Lycopodiales | ||
Lycopodiella diffusa, known as Carpet clubmoss, is a species of clubmoss in the family Lycopodiaceae. It is indigenous to New Zealand and to Tasmania, Australia.
Contents
Description
The main stems of this plant are found underground when growing on boggy terrain, but can occur above ground in dryer habitats. The stems are normally not more than 25cm in length and root at intervals.
Taxonomy
The first description of this plant was published in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen by Robert Brown.
Ecology
Analysis of fossilised excrement of Kakapo has shown that this plant was historically part of the diet of that endangered bird.
Conservation Status
The Department of Conservation in New Zealand classifies Lycopodiella diffusa as Not Threatened.
References
Lycopodiella diffusa Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA