Diphasiastrum

Links: Zeiller Clubmoss ( Diphasiastrum zeilleri ), right: cypress Clubmoss (D. tristachyum )

The Flachbärlappe ( Diphasiastrum, formerly Diphasium ) are a genus of Bärlappgewächsen that often in the genre of club mosses ( Lycopodium ) are incorporated.

Description

Just like the club mosses show the Flachbärlappe differentiation of the shoot, in a mostly above-ground creeping main axis and more or less ascending, shorter, in many species highly branched side branches. The branching of the shoots is as in the genus Lycopodium.

In contrast to the members of the genus Lycopodium, this group has only scale-like reduced until maybe 2 mm long leaves that are still spirally arranged, in principle, to the stem, but this form usually 2 or 4 Ortho stitches, making the rung square in cross section to are flattened. Hence it is also the name of the genus.

Nearby As with the Lycopodium species Sporophylle in clearly contrasting ears - or club- shaped, terminal sections. They are significantly different from the true leaves, although not significantly less.

Dissemination

Most of the species are from the temperate and subarctic areas and often grow in open forests, especially coniferous forests, rocky slopes or in Heiden.

Systematics and species ( selection)

The genus is often incorporated as section complanata in the genus Lycopodium, was several times but also spun off again. A final determination of the question whether it is one or more genera, is still pending.

The members of this genus often form hybrids, so that many of the species are connected by intermediate forms, and also the issue of Arteinteilung is quite difficult. Even in Central Europe, a new species was described in 1996 ( Diphasiastrum oellgaardii ).

Overall, the genus of 15-20 species of which occur following in Central Europe consists of:

• Alpine Clubmoss ( Diphasiastrum alpinum) (L.) Holub = Lycopodium alpinum L.)
• Usually Clubmoss ( Diphasiastrum complanatum ) ( L.) Holub = Lycopodium complanatum L.)
• Isslers Clubmoss ( Diphasiastrum issleri ( Rouy ) Holub = Lycopodium complanatum subsp. Issleri ( Rouy ) Domin )
• Oellgaards Clubmoss ( Diphasiastrum oellgaardii AMStoor et al. )
• Cypress Clubmoss ( Diphasiastrum tristachyum ( Pursh ) Holub = Lycopodium tristachyum Pursh )
• Zeiller Clubmoss ( Diphasiastrum zeilleri ( Rouy ) Holub = Lycopodium complanatum var zeilleri Rouy )