Plant
Stiff Clubmoss
Spinulum annotinumAlso known as Interrupted Clubmoss, Stiff Club-moss
Stiff clubmoss forms sprawling evergreen carpets across cold boreal forest floors, creeping along horizontal runners that anchor into damp moss and acidic soil. Upright branches feature prickly, needle-like leaves punctuated by distinct ring-like interruptions where annual growth pauses each winter. In late summer, solitary yellowish cones emerge at the stem tips to release millions of microscopic spores into the wind.
EvergreenSpore-BearingBoreal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Forest Mollusks
- Small Mammals
ThreatsHabitat Loss, Deforestation, Climate Change
HabitatsBoreal Forests, Coniferous Woodlands, Montane Slopes
Life spanPerennial (Individual Stems 5–10 Years)
Classification
- FamilyLycopodiaceae
- SpeciesSpinulum annotinum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for distinct annual growth interruptions marked by smaller leaves along upright stems.
- Photography: Capture the single spore-bearing cones perched at the tips of mature branches in late summer.
- Etiquette: Avoid pulling up trailing stems, as shallow horizontal runners take years to regenerate.
Frequent Companion (c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Timothy McNitt · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Close Relative (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.