Stag's-horn clubmoss in Polissia
Lycopodium clavatum
Caution: poisonous; do not consume
Stag's-horn clubmoss is an evergreen plant with long creeping stems densely covered in small, narrow leaves ending in a fine hair. Branches rise from the stems on long stalks bearing yellowish spore-bearing cones.
The clubmoss grows in pine and mixed forests on poor sandy soils, on forest edges and old clearings. In Polissia it occurs in the pine forests of all regions, including the Polissia and Cheremskyi nature reserves.
Clubmosses are descendants of ancient plants that grew hundreds of millions of years ago. They reproduce by spores, and many years pass from the germination of a spore to an adult plant. The fine yellow spore powder was once used in pharmacies and for special effects because it flares up.
The clubmoss grows very slowly, so do not tear off its long stems for decorations and wreaths. The plant is poisonous.
When to see: all year; spore-bearing cones in July–August
Where it was seen in Polissia
Observations from the open scientific database GBIF since 1990.
More in “Plants”
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The white water lily, with large flowers among floating leaves, adorns the lakes and oxbows of Polissia.