Southern Groundcedar

Description:

This is a Lycopod rather than a flowering seed plant. Lycopods are among the plants known as fern-allies. Like ferns, it reproduces via spores from the club-like appendages above the plant. Diphasiastrum digitatum is a synonym for the newer scientific name Lycopodium digitatum.

Habitat:

This one was photographed along a trail beside a mountain stream (Reedy Cove Creek) near Twin Falls in Pickens County, SC. Found in: AL, AR, CT, DC, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, and WV.

Notes:

It is also called Fan Clubmoss, Running Pine, Running Ground Cedar.