Firmoss
Encyclopedia
Huperzia is a genus
of Lycophyte
plants, sometimes known as the firmosses or fir clubmosses. This genus was originally included in the related genus Lycopodium
, from which it differs in having undifferentiated sporangial leaves, and the sporangia not formed into apical cones. The common name firmoss, used for some of the north temperate species, refers to their superficial resemblance to branches of fir
(Abies), a conifer. In Australia, the epiphytic species are commonly known as Tassel ferns.
The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution
, with about 400 species. Some botanists however split Huperzia into two genera, Huperzia in the narrow sense including 10-15 species of terrestrial temperate to Arctic species, and the rest in Phlegmariurus, a primarily tropical to subtropical genus of mainly epiphytic
species. Huperzia and its relatives are included in the family Huperziaceae
in some classifications, or alternatively in a more broadly defined Lycopodiaceae
in others.
The plants of this genus generally have radial ranks of entire, linear to lanceolate evergreen leaves
and dichotomously-branched (forking) vegetative stems. The spore
s are borne in kidney-shaped sporangia borne individually on the stem at the bases of unmodified leaves.
Unlike clubmosses, firmosses grow in clusters rather than running. The roots are produced in the tips of the shoots, growing downward in cortex to emerge at soil level. Horizontal stems are absent.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of Lycophyte
Lycopodiophyta
The Division Lycopodiophyta is a tracheophyte subdivision of the Kingdom Plantae. It is the oldest extant vascular plant division at around 410 million years old, and includes some of the most "primitive" extant species...
plants, sometimes known as the firmosses or fir clubmosses. This genus was originally included in the related genus Lycopodium
Lycopodium
Lycopodium is a genus of clubmosses, also known as ground pines or creeping cedar, in the family Lycopodiaceae, a family of fern-allies...
, from which it differs in having undifferentiated sporangial leaves, and the sporangia not formed into apical cones. The common name firmoss, used for some of the north temperate species, refers to their superficial resemblance to branches of fir
Fir
Firs are a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range...
(Abies), a conifer. In Australia, the epiphytic species are commonly known as Tassel ferns.
The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution
Cosmopolitan distribution
In biogeography, a taxon is said to have a cosmopolitan distribution if its range extends across all or most of the world in appropriate habitats. For instance, the killer whale has a cosmopolitan distribution, extending over most of the world's oceans. Other examples include humans, the lichen...
, with about 400 species. Some botanists however split Huperzia into two genera, Huperzia in the narrow sense including 10-15 species of terrestrial temperate to Arctic species, and the rest in Phlegmariurus, a primarily tropical to subtropical genus of mainly epiphytic
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
species. Huperzia and its relatives are included in the family Huperziaceae
Huperziaceae
The family Huperziaceae is one of two families sometimes recognized in the order Lycopodiales, and contains two or three extant genera:*Huperzia ; 10-15 species; terrestrial....
in some classifications, or alternatively in a more broadly defined Lycopodiaceae
Lycopodiaceae
The Lycopodiaceae is a family of primitive vascular plants, including all of the core clubmosses. These plants bear spores on specialized structures at the apex of a shoot; they resemble a tiny battle club, from which the common name derives...
in others.
The plants of this genus generally have radial ranks of entire, linear to lanceolate evergreen leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
and dichotomously-branched (forking) vegetative stems. The spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s are borne in kidney-shaped sporangia borne individually on the stem at the bases of unmodified leaves.
Unlike clubmosses, firmosses grow in clusters rather than running. The roots are produced in the tips of the shoots, growing downward in cortex to emerge at soil level. Horizontal stems are absent.
Selected species
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Huperzia mannii Huperzia mannii is a species of lycopod plant known by the common names Mann's clubmoss and wawae`iole. It is endemic to Hawaii, where there are only six populations remaining... Huperzia megastachya Huperzia megastachya is a species of firmoss found exclusively in Madagascar.-Synonymy:This species is equally known as:*Lycopodium megastachyum Baker*Urostachys megastachyus Herter ex Nessel... Oahu Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast... , Kauai Kauai Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",... ) Huperzia phlegmaria Huperzia phlegmaria is an epiphytic species of tassel fern native to rainforests in Madagascar, some islands in the Indian Ocean, Asia, Australasia and many Pacific Islands.... Huperzia polydactyla Huperzia polydactyla is a species of plant in the Lycopodiaceae family. It is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.... Huperzia serrata Huperzia serrata is a plant known as a firmoss which contains the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor huperzine A. It is widely distributed over-the-counter as a nootropic and dietary supplement. It may also be used to treat Alzheimer's disease.This species is native to India and southeast Asia.-... - source of Huperzine A Huperzine A Huperzine A is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alkaloid compound found in the plant firmoss Huperzia serrata. and in varying quantities in other Husperzia spp.including H. elmeri, H. carinat, H. aqualupian,... |