Blue Clubmoss
EN

Blue Clubmoss

Diphasiastrum tristachyum

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphasiastrum_tristachyum

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Wiry Ground-cedar faces severe decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its boreal and montane forest range. The species is particularly vulnerable to logging activities that remove the mature coniferous canopy it depends on for proper growing conditions. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, moist microhabitats essential for this slow-growing clubmoss, while recreational trampling in accessible forest areas causes direct physical damage to colonies.

Threat summary

Habitat

Wiry Ground-cedar inhabits cool, moist coniferous and mixed forests, typically growing on acidic soils in shaded understory conditions. The species is found in boreal and montane forest ecosystems, often forming extensive mats on forest floors beneath spruce, fir, and pine canopies.

Other threatened species in Lycopodiaceae

Common Club MossEN

Common Club Moss

Lycopodium clavatum

Unknown
VU

Zeiller's Ground-cedar

Diphasiastrum zeilleri

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Blue Clubmoss classified as Endangered?
Blue Clubmoss is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Wiry Ground-cedar faces severe decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its boreal and montane forest range. The species is particularly vulnerable to logging activities that remove the mature coniferous canopy it depends on for proper growing conditions. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, moist microhabitats essential for this slow-growing clubmoss, while recreational trampling in accessible forest areas causes direct physical damage to colonies.
Where does Blue Clubmoss live?
Blue Clubmoss occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Blue Clubmoss?
The main threats to Blue Clubmoss are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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