Lycopodium

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Lycopodium
Lycopodium clavatum 151207.jpg
Lycopodium clavatum
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Lycophytes
Class: Lycopodiopsida
Order: Lycopodiales
Family: Lycopodiaceae
Subfamily: Lycopodioideae
Genus: Lycopodium
L. [1]
Type species
Lycopodium clavatum
L.
Species

See text

Lycopodium (from Greek lykos, wolf and podion, diminutive of pous, foot) [2] is a genus of clubmosses, also known as ground pines or creeping cedars, [3] in the family Lycopodiaceae. Two very different circumscriptions of the genus are in use. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), Lycopodium is one of nine genera in the subfamily Lycopodioideae, and has from nine to 15 species. [1] [4] In other classifications, the genus is equivalent to the whole of the subfamily, since it includes all of the other genera. More than 40 species are accepted. [5]

Contents

Description

They are flowerless, vascular, terrestrial or epiphytic plants, with widely branched, erect, prostrate, or creeping stems, with small, simple, needle-like or scale-like leaves that cover the stem and branches thickly. [6] The stems usually creep along the ground, forking at intervals. [7] The leaves contain a single, unbranched vascular strand, and are microphylls by definition. [6] They are usually arranged in spirals. [7] The kidney-shaped (reniform) spore-cases (sporangia) contain spores of one kind only, (isosporous, homosporous), and are borne on the upper surface of the leaf blade of specialized leaves (sporophylls) arranged in a cone-like strobilus at the end of upright stems. [6] Each sporamgium contains numerous small spores. [7] The club-shaped appearance of these fertile stems gives the clubmosses their common name.

Lycopods reproduce asexually by spores. The plants have an underground sexual phase that produces gametes, and this alternates in the lifecycle with the spore-producing plant. The prothallium developed from the spore is a subterranean mass of tissue of considerable size, and bears both the male and female organs (antheridia and archegonia). [6] They are more commonly distributed vegetatively, though, through above- or below-ground rhizomes.

Taxonomy

The genus Lycopodium was first published by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. [8] He placed it in the Musci (mosses) along with genera such as Sphagnum , and included species such as Lycopodium selaginoides, [9] now placed in the genus Selaginella in a different order from Lycopodium. Different sources use substantially different circumscriptions of the genus. Traditionally, Lycopodium was considered to be the only extant genus in the family Lycopodiaceae, so includes all the species in the family, although sometimes excluding one placed in the monotypic genus Phylloglossum . [10] Other sources divide Lycopodiaceae species into three broadly defined genera, Lycopodium, Huperzia (including Phylloglossum) and Lycopodiella. In this approach, Lycopodium sensu lato has about 40 species. [11] [5] In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), the broadly defined genus is equivalent to the subfamily Lycopodioideae, and Lycopodium is one of 16 genera in the family Lycopodiaceae, with between 9 and 15 species. [1] [4]

Varying circumscriptions of Lycopodium
Traditional [10] Christenhusz & Chase (2014) [11] PPG I [4]
Lycopodium
+ Phylloglossum		Lycopodium s.l.Lycopodium s.s. + 8 other genera making up subfamily Lycopodioideae
Two other genera7 genera (including Phylloglossum) in two subfamilies

Species

Lycopodium clavatum EB1911 Lycopodium -Fig. 1 - Lycopodium clavatum.jpg
Lycopodium clavatum

Using the narrow circumscription of Lycopodium, in which it is one of nine genera in the subfamily Lycopodioideae, the Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World recognized the following species as of June 2024: [1]

Uses

The spores of Lycopodium species are harvested and are sold as lycopodium powder.

Lycopodium sp. herb has been used in the traditional Austrian medicine internally as tea or externally as compresses for treatment of disorders of the locomotor system, skin, liver and bile, kidneys and urinary tract, infections, rheumatism, and gout, [12] though claims of efficacy are unproven. It has also been used in some United States government chemical warfare test programs such as Operation Dew. [13] Lycopodium powder was also used to determine the molecular size of oleic acid.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lycopodiopsida</span> Class of vascular plants

Lycopodiopsida is a class of vascular plants also known as lycopods or lycophytes. Members of the class are also called clubmosses, firmosses, spikemosses and quillworts. They have dichotomously branching stems bearing simple leaves called microphylls and reproduce by means of spores borne in sporangia on the sides of the stems at the bases of the leaves. Although living species are small, during the Carboniferous, extinct tree-like forms (Lepidodendrales) formed huge forests that dominated the landscape and contributed to coal deposits.

<i>Huperzia</i> Genus of vascular plants

Huperzia is a genus of lycophyte plants, sometimes known as the firmosses or fir clubmosses; the Flora of North America calls them gemma fir-mosses. This genus was originally included in the related genus Lycopodium, from which it differs in having undifferentiated sporangial leaves, and the sporangia not formed into apical cones. The common name firmoss, used for some of the north temperate species, refers to their superficial resemblance to branches of fir (Abies), a conifer. As of 2020, two very different circumscriptions of the genus were in use. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, Huperzia is one of three genera in the subfamily Huperzioideae of the family Lycopodiaceae. Most species in the subfamily are placed in the genus Phlegmariurus. Huperzia is left with about 25 species, although not all have been formally transferred to other genera. Other sources recognize only Huperzia, which then has about 340 species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huperzioideae</span> Subfamily of plants

Huperzioideae is a subfamily of lycopsids in the family Lycopodiaceae. It has sometimes been recognized as a separate family, Huperziaceae. The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 recognizes three extant genera:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lycopodiaceae</span> Family of vascular plants

The Lycopodiaceae are an old family of vascular plants, including all of the core clubmosses and firmosses, comprising 16 accepted genera and about 400 known species. This family originated about 380 million years ago in the early Devonian, though the diversity within the family has been much more recent. "Wolf foot" is another common name for this family due to the resemblance of either the roots or branch tips to a wolf's paw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyatheaceae</span> Family of ferns

The Cyatheaceae are a family of ferns, the scaly tree ferns, one of eight families in the order Cyatheales in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016. Alternatively, the family may defined much more broadly as the only family in the Cyatheales, with the PPG I family treated as the subfamily Cyatheoideae. The narrower circumscription is used in this article.

<i>Diphasiastrum</i> Genus of vascular plants in the clubmoss family Lycopodiaceae

Diphasiastrum is a genus of clubmosses in the plant family Lycopodiaceae. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, it is placed in the subfamily Lycopodioideae. It is closely related to the genus Lycopodium, and some botanists treat it within a broad view of that genus as a section, Lycopodium sect. Complanata. Some species superficially resemble diminutive gymnosperms and have been given common names such as ground-pine or ground-cedar.

<i>Lycopodiella</i> Genus of spore-bearing plants

Lycopodiella is a genus in the clubmoss family Lycopodiaceae. The genus members are commonly called bog clubmosses, describing their wetland habitat. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, with centers of diversity in the tropical New World and New Guinea. In the past, the genus was often incorporated within the related genus Lycopodium, but was segregated in 1964. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, Lycopodiella is placed in the subfamily Lycopodielloideae, along with three other genera. In this circumscription, the genus has about 15 species. Other sources use a wider circumscription, in which the genus is equivalent to the Lycopodielloideae of PPG I, in which case about 40 species and hybrids are accepted.

<i>Dendrolycopodium dendroideum</i> Species of spore-bearing plant

Dendrolycopodium dendroideum, synonym Lycopodium dendroideum, known as tree groundpine, is a North American species of clubmoss. It is part of a complex of species colloquially known as groundpine, which taxa were formerly lumped into the species Lycopodium obscurum. The species is native to Russia and also to the colder parts of North America. The genus Dendrolycopodium is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, but not in other classifications, which submerge the genus in Lycopodium.

<i>Dendrolycopodium</i> Genus of spore-bearing plants

The genus Dendrolycopodium is a clubmoss genus in the family Lycopodiaceae. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, it is placed in the subfamily Lycopodioideae. Some sources do not recognize the genus, sinking it into Lycopodium. It is treated as section Obscura when retained within Lycopodium. The genus includes a discrete group of plants with similar morphologies. All have erect to semi-erect, branched stems.

<i>Dendrolycopodium obscurum</i> Species of spore-bearing plant

Dendrolycopodium obscurum, synonym Lycopodium obscurum, commonly called rare clubmoss, ground pine, or princess pine, is a North American species of clubmoss in the family Lycopodiaceae. It is a close relative of other species such as D. dendroideum and D. hickeyi, also treelike. It is native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada from Georgia to Minnesota to Nova Scotia. It grows in the understory of temperate coniferous and deciduous forests, where it is involved in seral secondary succession, growing in clonal colonies some years after disturbance has occurred. It has also been found in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Russian Far East, and northeastern China.

<i>Diphasium scariosum</i> Species of spore-bearing plant

Diphasium scariosum, synonym Lycopodium scariosum, commonly known as spreading clubmoss or creeping club moss, is a species in the club moss family Lycopodiaceae. The genus Diphasium is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, but not in other classifications which submerge the genus in Lycopodium. D. scariosum is native to Australia, New Zealand, and Borneo.

<i>Spinulum</i> Genus of spore-bearing plants

Spinulum is a genus of club mosses in the family Lycopodiaceae. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, it is placed in the subfamily Lycopodioideae. Some sources do not recognize the genus, sinking it into Lycopodium. Spinulum annotinum is widespread in the temperate Northern Hemisphere.

<i>Austrolycopodium</i> Genus of spore-bearing plants

Austrolycopodium is a genus of lycophytes in the family Lycopodiaceae. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, it is placed in the subfamily Lycopodioideae. Some sources do not recognize the genus, sinking it into Lycopodium. Austrolycopodium species are mostly native to the temperate southern hemisphere.

<i>Diphasium</i> Genus of spore-bearing plants

Diphasium is a genus of lycophytes in the family Lycopodiaceae. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, it is placed in the subfamily Lycopodioideae. Some sources do not recognize the genus, sinking it into Lycopodium, others include it in Diphasiastrum. Diphasium species are mostly native to the temperate southern hemisphere, but extend northwards into Central America and the Caribbean.

Lycopodiastrum is a genus of lycophyte in the family Lycopodiaceae with only one species, Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, the genus is placed in the subfamily Lycopodioideae. Some sources do not recognize the genus, sinking it into Lycopodium. Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides is native to south-eastern Asia, from Tibet through China to Japan in the north, and from Sumatra to Sulawesi in the south.

<i>Pseudodiphasium</i> Genus of spore-bearing plants

Pseudodiphasium is a genus of lycophyte in the family Lycopodiaceae with only one species, Pseudodiphasium volubile. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, the genus is placed in the subfamily Lycopodioideae. Some sources do not recognize the genus, sinking it into Lycopodium. Pseudodiphasium volubile is native from Peninsular Malaysia to Queensland, Australia, and has been introduced into Ecuador.

<i>Pseudolycopodium</i> Genus of spore-bearing plants

Pseudolycopodium is a genus of lycophyte in the family Lycopodiaceae with only one species, Pseudolycopodium densum, known as the bushy clubmoss. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, the genus is placed in the subfamily Lycopodioideae. Some sources do not recognize the genus, sinking it into Lycopodium. Pseudolycopodium densum is native to Australia, the North Island of New Zealand and New Caledonia. It is a spore-bearing vascular plant and grows up to a metre high. It is found in a wide variety of situations, often in high rainfall areas on sandy soils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lycopodioideae</span> Subfamily of spore-bearing plants

Lycopodioideae is a subfamily in the family Lycopodiaceae in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016. It is equivalent to a broad circumscription of the genus Lycopodium in other classifications. Like all lycophytes, members of the Lycopodioideae reproduce by spores. The oldest fossils of modern members of the subfamily date to the Early Cretaceous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lycopodielloideae</span> Subfamily of plants

Lycopodielloideae is a subfamily in the family Lycopodiaceae in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016. It is equivalent to a broad circumscription of the genus Lycopodiella in other classifications. Like all lycophytes, members of the Lycopodielloideae are vascular plants that reproduce by spores.

<i>Hemionitis</i> Genus of ferns

Hemionitis is a genus of ferns in the subfamily Cheilanthoideae of the family Pteridaceae. Its circumscription varies greatly in different systems of fern classification. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, it was one of more than 20 genera in the subfamily Cheilanthoideae, and was said to have five species. Other sources treat it as the only genus in the subfamily, and so accept about 450 species. With the restricted circumscription, species are native to tropical America.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hassler, Michael. "Lycopodium". World Ferns. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  2. ↑ λύκος, πούς . Liddell, Henry George ; Scott, Robert ; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.
  3. ↑ The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2008
  4. 1 2 3 PPG I (2016). "A community-derived classification for extant lycophytes and ferns". Journal of Systematics and Evolution. 54 (6): 563–603. doi: 10.1111/jse.12229 . S2CID   39980610.
  5. 1 2 "Lycopodium L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Lycopodium"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 153.
  7. 1 2 3 Levyns, M.R. (1966). A Guide to the Flora of the Cape Peninsula (2nd Revised ed.). Juta & Company, Limited. OCLC   621340.
  8. ↑ "Lycopodium L." The International Plant Names Index . Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  9. ↑ Linnaeus, C. (1753). "Lycopodium". Species Plantarum. Vol. II. pp. 1100ff. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  10. 1 2 Sporne, K.R. (1966). The Morphology of Pteridophytes (2nd ed.). London: Hutchinson. chap. 4. OCLC   253704767.
  11. 1 2 Christenhusz, Maarten J.M. & Chase, Mark W. (2014). "Trends and concepts in fern classification". Annals of Botany. 113 (9): 571–594. doi:10.1093/aob/mct299. PMC   3936591 . PMID   24532607.
  12. ↑ Vogl, S; Picker, P; Mihaly-Bison, J; Fakhrudin, N; Atanasov, A. G.; Heiss, E. H.; Wawrosch, C; Reznicek, G; Dirsch, V. M.; Saukel, J; Kopp, B (2013). "Ethnopharmacological in vitro studies on Austria's folk medicine—an unexplored lore in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of 71 Austrian traditional herbal drugs". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 149 (3): 750–71. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.06.007. PMC   3791396 . PMID   23770053.
  13. ↑ U.S. National Research Council, Subcommittee on Zinc Cadmium Sulfide. Toxicologic Assessment of the Army's Zinc Cadmium Sulfide Dispersion, National Academies Press, 1997, pp. 44–77, ISBN   0309057833.
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