Rare Clubmoss

This plant has a superficial resemblance to conifers. However, it is much smaller and the above ground parts rarely reach more 15 cm tall. The plants I spotted were 10cm tall or less. Interestingly, the main stem is a creeping rhizome that grows below ground. Unfortunately, the harvest of rare clubmoss has caused it to become threatened in several areas. I spotted a lot of these growing on the ground in a mixed, swampy forest while out doing a homeschool science lesson with my kids. They thought these plants were baby pine trees :)