Plant · GBIF taxon 8412877
Tropical Clubmoss
Phlegmariurus funiformisAlso known as Rope Tassel Fern, Cord Tassel Fern, Funiform Clubmoss
Hanging like thick green cords from the canopy of Neotropical cloud forests, Tropical Clubmoss is an ancient epiphytic lycophyte with slender, rope-like stems. Its tiny, tightly appressed leaves give the long pendulous branches a smooth, corded texture as they dangle in humid air. These slow-growing plants depend on pristine canopy humidity and intact forest architecture to survive.
EpiphyticEvergreenSpore-Bearing
Licensed reference(c) Jonatan Castro Hernández, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
Not available
ThreatsDeforestation, canopy microclimate drying, and habitat loss
HabitatsHumid montane cloud forests and wet tropical rain forests
Life spanPerennial (decades)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyLycopodiaceae
- SpeciesPhlegmariurus funiformis
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.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by long, smooth, rope-like stems dangling from mossy canopy branches.
- Support conservation
- Observe from forest trails without pulling down canopy mosses or host tree branches.
Responsible observation
- Canopy Spotting: Look up into mature trees in undisturbed cloud forests to spot dangling stems.
- Habitat Respect: Avoid pulling on moss mats or epiphytes attached to host branches.
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Family Member (c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Timothy McNitt · cc-by
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