Fan Clubmoss

Appearance

''Diphasiastrum digitatum'' is a perennial vascular plant that does not contain a significant amount of wood tissue above or at the ground. They are low-growing usually measuring less than 30 cm tall.

Leaves are evergreen, which appears opposite and is arranged spirally with 4 evenly spaced leaves, when viewed from the side it appears as 4 columns. The branch leaves are green and shiny, the base extends down to the stem and the free portion at the tip pointed and scale-like.

Branches are shaped rectangular in cross-section, flattened on the underside with the associated leaf much smaller that the rest. The largest leaves are lateral, the free portion appressed to spreading, and the leaves on the upper surface are appressed and are more narrow. The stems spread horizontally above ground or just below the surface of the duff layer.

The erect shoots each contains two or more branches near the base. Branches are more likely ascending to spreading, forked and tree-like, and mostly are arranged on the same plane, fan-like. Erect shoots can measure from 3 to 20 inches tall, although, vegetative shoots are typically less than 8 inches.

Spores develop in a cone-like or structures referred to as strobili. About 2 to 4 strobili are usually clustered at the tip of a long stalk which is referred to as the peduncle.

Naming

''Diphasiastrum'': From the genus ''Diphasium'' and astrum for "incomplete resemblance;" so "false Diphasium".

Distribution

''Diphasiastrum digitatum'' is present in dry to mesic and usually acid forests and openings. They are located in the eastern part of North America including parts of Canada such as Ontario and Quebec and south to Florida and Louisiana.There are a variety of habitats for ''Diphasiastrum digitatum,'' but they are usually found in a partially shaded habitat that is moist to dry.

Habitat

Typically habitats are open forest, thickets, and fields. The sporulating season tends to be from July to October. Other habitats include upland woodlands, bluffs, sandstone cliffs, and abandoned sandy fields. They tend to be found in wooded areas where oak trees and conifers can also be found.