Lycopodium obscurum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dendrolycopodium obscurum
• Lycopodium obscurum f. breve
• Lycopodium obscurum f. brevispicatum
• Lycopodium obscurum f. exsertum
• Lycopodium obscurum f. exsertum-furcatum
• Lycopodium obscurum f. foliaceum
• Lycopodium obscurum f. monostachyon
• Lycopodium obscurum f. parvispicatum
• Lycopodium obscurum f. proliferum
• Lycopodium obscurum subvar. parvispicatum
• Lycopodium dendroideum var. obscurum
• Lycopodium obscurum subvar. breve
• Lycopodium obscurum subvar. proliferum
• Lycopodium obscurum subvar. brevispicatum
• Lycopodium obscurum subvar. foliaceum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Lycopodiidae and order Lycopodiales, it is further categorized into the family Lycopodiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Lycopodium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several northern regions. In the Russian Far East, its presence is specifically noted in the Primorye region. Moving across the ocean, it can be found within Subarctic America, specifically in Alaska. The species also occupies various parts of Eastern Canada, including New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Additionally, its range extends into the province of Ontario.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lycopodium obscurum is fundamentally defined by its preference for stable forest environments, where it thrives within the shaded understory of diverse woodland ecosystems. As a specialist of forest habitats, it typically occupies well-drained sites characterized by acidic to neutral soils and a consistent layer of organic duff or leaf litter, which provides the necessary moisture and nutrient stability for its slow-growing rhizomes. This plant plays a structural role in the forest floor community, often forming dense, carpet-like mats that contribute to the microhabitat complexity of the soil surface. Its presence is often indicative of mature or late-successional forest stages, as it relies on the buffered microclimate and shade provided by a developed canopy to protect it from extreme desiccation and temperature fluctuations.

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Lycopodium obscurum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its habitat through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it exhibits a chamaephyte life form, maintaining its photosynthetic organs close to the ground surface, which serves as an adaptation to its specific ecological niche. This growth strategy is consistent across its developmental stages, as it functions as a chamaephyte, utilizing its low-lying stature to thrive within the forest floor environment.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lycopodium obscurum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as a self-supporting plant that does not require climbing structures. It is a terrestrial species that grows close to the ground, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.25 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Plant height max:

0.25 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lycopodium obscurum is characterized by a specialized process involving the production of spores rather than true flowers, as it is a spore-bearing vascular plant. The reproductive cycle is closely tied to seasonal shifts, with the development and dispersal of reproductive structures occurring during a specific window in the warmer months. Specifically, the peak period for the maturation and release of these spores typically begins in July and continues through September. This timeframe ensures that the spores are released under optimal environmental conditions to facilitate successful dispersal and subsequent germination.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lycopodium obscurum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 26-Nor-8-oxo-alpha-onocerin, Serratenediol, alpha-Onocerin.

26-Nor-8-oxo-alpha-onocerin

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Serratenediol

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

alpha-Onocerin

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica