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Alpine Clubmoss - Lycopodium alpinum
Other Names:
Diphasiastrum alpinum
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State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
DRAFT: Requesting feedback on the 2026 revised rank, factors, and State Rank Reason outlined in the Conservation Status Rank Report .
Lycopodium alpinum is rare in Montana where it is known from several mountain ranges in the northwest portion of the state. Population levels and trends are undocumented. No significant or widespread threats are known except for those posed by climate change.
Surveys are needed of the known occurrences to document population size and extent. Surveys of potentially suitable habitat may locate additional occurrences. Monitoring of a subset of populations is needed to be able to determine potential population trends.
General Description
Stems prostrate, just below ground. Shoots clustered, 3–8 cm; branches 4-angled, winged. Leaves 2–3 mm long, 4-ranked, overlapping, margins turned under, dorsal and ventral shorter than lateral pair; alternate pairs decurrent. Strobili 5–20 mm long, solitary, sessile. Sporophylls 2–4 mm long, lanceolate with wavy margins (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX ).
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
In MT known only from Lincoln, Flathead and Glacier counties; AK to WA and MT, Greenland to QC, Europe, Japan (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX ).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 20
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Moist tundra in the alpine and subalpine zones.
Stewardship Responsibility
References
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