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Northern Prostrate Clubmoss (Lycopodiella margueritae)
Life history
Species overview
Northern Prostrate Clubmoss (Lycopodiella margueritae), a State Special Concern plant, is found in seasonally flooded wetlands formed in shallow depressions and potholes in glacial lakeplain landscapes. The optimal identification period for this species is late July through early September.
Synonyms:
Identification
- Distinguishing characteristics: Difficult to distinguish from other members of L. inundata complex. See Table 2 in USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region. 2004. Conservation assessment for northern appressed club-moss (Lycopodiella subappressa J.G. Bruce, W.H. Wagner, & Beitel) and northern prostrate club-moss (Lycopodiella margueritae J.G. Bruce, W.H. Wagner, & Beitel). http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/tes/ca-overview/docs/Plants/N%20Prostrate%20Club%20moss.pdf
- Flower characteristics:
- Fruit characteristics: Strobilus length 5-8 cm, width 4-9 mm; length relative to peduncle 1/3-1/2.
- Leaf characteristics: Leaves on rhizomes are spreading, 6-13 mm long with 3-4 teeth. Leaves on peduncle are spreading, 5-6 mm long with 0-2 teeth. Leaves on sprorophyll are appressed or incruved, 4-6 mm long, 0.4-0.5 mm wide with no teeth.
Phenology
- Blooming phenology:
- Fruiting phenology: late August through early October
- Optimum time to identify: late July through early September
Other
- Growth form: Fern ally
- Vegetative reproduction: Rhizomatous
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Comments: Probably has symbiotic relationship with endophytic fungi. Often hybridizes with other members of L inundata complex. See also Flora of North America 2:37 (http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500757).
State status
Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin
The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Northern Prostrate Clubmoss (Lycopodiella margueritae). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.
| Summary Information | |
|---|---|
| State Status | SC |
| Federal Status in Wisconsin | none |
| State Rank | S1 |
| Global Rank | G1G2 |
| Tracked by NHI | Y |
Habitats and landscapes
The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.
General habitat information
- Habitat description: Found in seasonally flooded wetlands formed in shallow depressions and potholes in glacial lakeplain landscapes.
- Soils: Sandy, acidic, moist or intermittently wet soils.
Natural communities
This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Northern Prostrate Clubmoss. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).
| Natural communities | score |
|---|---|
| Central Poor Fen | 3 |
| Coastal Plain Marsh | 3 |
| Inland Beach | 3 |
Ecological landscapes
This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Northern Prostrate Clubmoss. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.
Species guidance
The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.
Avoidance measures
These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.
- Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
- Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.
Management guidance
Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species
- Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.
- Avoid disturbance to shorelines and the forest-beach interface.
- Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.
Other resources
Links to additional Northern Prostrate Clubmoss information
Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)
- Wisconsin Vascular Plants
- Freckmann Herbarium
- Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
- USDA - NRCS Plants Database
- USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
- eFloras
- Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
- Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
- Orchids of Wisconsin
Photos
No additional photos are available for Northern Prostrate Clubmoss at this time. Please consider donating a photo to the Endangered Resources Program.
Support for Wisconsin's rare plant information has been provided by the Division of Forestry, the Endangered Resources Fund and the Wisconsin Rare Plant Preservation Fund. To donate, visit the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin [exit DNR].
