Lateristachys diffusa, synonym Lycopodiella diffusa,[1] known as carpet clubmoss, is a species of clubmoss in the family Lycopodiaceae.[2] It is indigenous to New Zealand[3] and to Tasmania, Australia.[4]

Lateristachys diffusa
Growing in the Mount Rochfort Conservation Area on the South Island of New Zealand.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Lycophytes
Class: Lycopodiopsida
Order: Lycopodiales
Family: Lycopodiaceae
Genus: Lateristachys
Species:
L. diffusa
Binomial name
Lateristachys diffusa
(R.Br.) Holub
Synonyms[1]
  • Lycopodiella diffusa (R.Br.) B.Øllg.
  • Lycopodium diffusum R.Br.
  • Lycopodium laterale var. diffusum (R.Br.) Hook.f.
  • Lycopodium ramulosum Kirk
  • Lepidotis diffusa (R.Br.) Rothm.
  • Lateristachys ramulosa (Kirk) Holub
  • Lycopodiella ramulosa (Kirk) B.Øllg.

Description

edit

The main stems of this plant are found underground when growing on boggy terrain, but can occur above ground in dryer habitats. The stems are normally not more than 25 cm in length and root at intervals.[5]

Taxonomy

edit

The first description of this plant was published in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen by Robert Brown.[6][7]

Ecology

edit

Analysis of fossilised excrement of the kākāpō has shown that this plant was historically part of the diet of that endangered bird.[8]

Conservation status

edit

The Department of Conservation in New Zealand classifies Lateristachys diffusa as Not Threatened.[9]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (November 2019). "Lateristachys diffusa". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. 8.11. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  2. ^ "Carpet clubmoss, Lycopodiella diffusa (R.Br.) B.Øllg.; syntype of Lycopodium ramulosum Kirk". Te Papa Collections Online. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  3. ^ de Lange, Peter J.; Rolfe, Jeremy R. (2010). New Zealand indigenous vascular plant checklist, 2010. Wellington, N.Z.: New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-473-17544-3. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  4. ^ Foreman, Donald Bruce; Walsh, N. G.; Entwisle, Timothy John (1994). Flora of Victoria: Ferns and allied plants, conifers and monocotyledons. Melbourne: Inkata Press. p. 21. ISBN 9780409308495.
  5. ^ "Lycopodiella diffusa (R.Br.) B.Øllg". Flora of New Zealand. Landcare Research New Zealand. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  6. ^ Chinnock, R. J. "Lycopodiella diffusa (R.Br.) B.Øllg., Opera Bot. 92: 176 (1987)". Flora of Australia Online. ABRS. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Brown, Robert. Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae, 1810". Digital Library. Real Jardin Botanico CSIC. p. 165. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  8. ^ Horrocks, Mark; Salter, Joshua; Braggins, John; Nichol, Scott; Moorhouse, Ron; Elliott, Graeme (2008). "Plant microfossil analysis of coprolites of the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) parrot from New Zealand". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 149 (3): 229–245. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2007.12.009.
  9. ^ de Lange, Peter J.; Rolfe, Jeremy R.; Champion, Paul D.; Courtney, Shannel P.; Heenan, Peter B.; Barkla, John W.; Cameron, Ewen K.; Norton, David A.; Hitchmough, Rodney A. (2012). Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation. p. 56. ISBN 9780478149951. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
edit