bendarli (Tam.) :

Plant growing in native habitat Photograph by: V-wolf

Geographical distribution:

There are distinct subspecies and varieties in different parts of its range:

Lycopodium clavatum subsp. clavatum

Lycopodium clavatum subsp. clavatum var. clavatum (Europe, Asia, North America)

Lycopodium clavatum subsp. clavatum var. aristatum (Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, northern South America south to northern Argentina)

Lycopodium clavatum subsp. clavatum var. asiaticum (Japan, northeast China)

Lycopodium clavatum subsp. clavatum var. borbonicum (central and southern Africa)

Lycopodium clavatum subsp. clavatum var. kiboanum (mountains of tropical Africa)

Lycopodium clavatum subsp. contiguum (southern Central America, northern South America; syn. Lycopodium contiguum)

Plant is usually found in the temperate regions, particularly in Himalayas in the moist shaded woodlands, open thickets, rocky slopes, pine forests and mixed woods between 2000-3000 m msl.

ECOLOGICAL ASPECT:

Although globally widespread, like many clubmosses, it is confined to undisturbed sites, disappearing from farmed areas and sites with regular burning. As a result, it is endangered in many areas. In the UK it is one of 101 species named as a high priority for conservation by the wild plant charity Plantlife.