Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Lycopodiaceae ⟩ Diphasiastrum alpinum / Alpine clubmoss

Diphasiastrum alpinum (L.) Holub

Alpine clubmoss (Lycopodiaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
WidespreadVery strong tendencyN
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Diphasiastrum alpinum is a trailing clubmoss of exposed mountain rocks; its leaves are borne in alternating pairs, giving the appearance of 4 ranks of leaves along each stem.

Cwm Dulyn (VC49: Caernarvonshire); 2022-08-09

 Alpine clubmoss / Diphasiastrum alpinum: _Diphasiastrum alpinum_ is a trailing clubmoss of exposed mountain rocks; its leaves are borne in alternating pairs, giving the appearance of 4 ranks of leaves along each stem.

The widespread Diphasiastrum alpinum is more glaucous than the rarer Diphasiastrum complanatum, and its sterile leaves taper more gradually into the stem.

Cwm Dulyn (VC49: Caernarvonshire); 2022-08-09

 Alpine clubmoss / Diphasiastrum alpinum: The widespread _Diphasiastrum alpinum_ is more glaucous than the rarer _Diphasiastrum complanatum_, and its sterile leaves taper more gradually into the stem.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne