Creeping Clubmoss

Botanical name: Diphasium scariosum
Synonyms: Lycopodium scariosum, Lycopodium scariosum var. decurrens, Lycopodium distans, Lycopodium lessonianum, Stachygynandrum scariosum, Diphasium decurrens, Lycopodium decurrens
Common name(s): Creeping Clubmoss, Spreading Clubmoss

About:
Creeping Clubmoss is an ancient, primitive vascular plant that belongs to the clubmoss family rather than the true ferns. It spreads slowly by creeping stems that produce upright, flattened branches, giving it a distinctive miniature conifer-like appearance. This attractive native species is found throughout much of New Zealand, where it grows in open, moist habitats from the coast to subalpine areas.

Natural habitat:
Occurs in open habitats including mossy roadside banks, stream margins, shrublands, peaty ground and occasionally restiad bogs. It is most common in montane environments in the northern North Island.

Growing environment:
Prefers cool, moist, well-drained peaty or clay soils in part shade to full sun. Thrives where humidity is high but soils remain free draining.

Endemic distribution:
Indigenous to New Zealand, occurring throughout the North Island (scarce in Northland), South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Chatham Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku. It is also native to Australia, New Guinea, Borneo and the Philippines.

Height:
Upright branches to 50 cm

Width:
Creeping stems may spread 1 m or more

Flowering:
None (clubmosses do not produce flowers)

Fruiting:
None (reproduces by spores)

Uses:
• Native rock and alpine gardens
• Moss and fern collections
• Ecological restoration
• Botanical collections
• Educational displays illustrating ancient plant groups

Appearance:
Growth habit:
A creeping evergreen clubmoss with long prostrate stems producing many erect, highly branched flattened shoots.

Stems:
Main stems creep along the ground for over a metre, with numerous ascending branchlets creating dense patches.

Leaves:
Yellow-green, arranged in distinct flattened sprays. The larger sickle-shaped leaves occur in two opposite rows on the upper surface, while tiny scale-like leaves are confined to the underside, giving the stems a flattened appearance.

Spore cones:
Erect, orange-brown club-like cones (strobili) are borne singly, occasionally in pairs, at the tips of upright branches.

Ecology:
Diphasium scariosum reproduces by spores rather than seeds. Its life cycle is exceptionally slow, with underground gametophytes taking many years to develop before producing new plants. It forms beneficial associations with mycorrhizal fungi, helping it obtain nutrients from poor soils.

Associated habitats:
Montane shrubland, forest margins, mossy banks, peatlands, stream edges, alpine clearings and damp roadside cuttings.

How to grow:
This species is difficult to cultivate successfully and is best left undisturbed in its natural habitat. It requires cool, humid conditions, acidic free-draining soil rich in organic matter and very little root disturbance.

Propagation:
Propagation is extremely difficult. Although it reproduces naturally by spores, development is very slow and cultivation from spores is rarely successful. Wild plants should never be collected.

Cultural use:
As one of New Zealand’s ancient clubmosses, Creeping Clubmoss represents an important part of the country’s prehistoric flora and contributes to the biodiversity of native forests and alpine ecosystems.

Garden value:
While rarely grown due to its specialised requirements, Creeping Clubmoss is an attractive and fascinating species with delicate flattened foliage and distinctive orange-brown spore cones. It is best appreciated in its natural habitat or maintained only by specialist native plant collectors and botanical gardens.