Lateristachys diffusa explained

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

Description

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.^[4]

Taxonomy

The first description of this plant was published in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen by Robert Brown.^{[5] [6]}

Ecology

Analysis of fossilised excrement of the kākāpō has shown that this plant was historically part of the diet of that endangered bird.^[7]

Conservation status

The Department of Conservation in New Zealand classifies Lateristachys diffusa as Not Threatened.^[8]

External links

• Syntype specimen of Lycopodiella diffusa held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Notes and References

1. Web site: Carpet clubmoss, Lycopodiella diffusa (R.Br.) B.Øllg.; syntype of Lycopodium ramulosum Kirk. Te Papa Collections Online. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. 15 January 2016.
2. Book: de Lange. Peter J.. Rolfe. Jeremy R.. New Zealand indigenous vascular plant checklist, 2010. 2010. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Wellington, N.Z.. 978-0-473-17544-3. 32. 16 January 2016.
3. Book: Foreman. Donald Bruce. Walsh. N. G.. Entwisle. Timothy John. Flora of Victoria: Ferns and allied plants, conifers and monocotyledons. 1994. Inkata Press. Melbourne. 9780409308495. 21.
4. Web site: Lycopodiella diffusa (R.Br.) B.Øllg.. Flora of New Zealand. Landcare Research New Zealand. 15 January 2016.
5. Web site: Chinnock. R. J.. Lycopodiella diffusa (R.Br.) B.Øllg., Opera Bot. 92: 176 (1987). Flora of Australia Online. ABRS. 16 January 2016.
6. Web site: Brown, Robert. Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae, 1810. 165. Digital Library. Real Jardin Botanico CSIC. 16 January 2016.
7. Horrocks. Mark. Salter. Joshua. Braggins. John. John E. Braggins. Nichol. Scott. Moorhouse. Ron. Elliott. Graeme. Plant microfossil analysis of coprolites of the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) parrot from New Zealand.. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 2008. 149. 3. 229–245. 10.1016/j.revpalbo.2007.12.009.
8. Book: 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.. Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants. 2012. Department of Conservation. Wellington, New Zealand. 9780478149951. 56. 16 January 2016.