Huperzia appalachiana

Shoots erect, determinate, 6--10 cm, clustered to rarely shortly decumbent, decumbent portion to 1 cm; leaves in mature distal portion markedly smaller than leaves in juvenile proximal portion; annual constrictions absent; juvenile growth erect. Leaves ascending to spreading (juvenile portion) or ascending to appressed (mature portion), green to yellow-green, not lustrous; leaves in juvenile portion narrowly triangular, 4--6 mm, widest at base; leaves in mature portion narrowly triangular, 2--3.5 mm; margins entire or with occasional papillae; stomates present on both surfaces, numerous (35--60 per 1/2 leaf) on adaxial surface. Gemmiferous branchlets produced throughout mature portion; gemmae 3--4 X 2.5--3.5 mm; lateral leaves 0.5--1 mm wide, narrowly acute. Spores 29--35 µm.