Common Club Moss
EN

Common Club Moss

Lycopodium clavatum

UnknownLCEULCEULCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Wolf's-claw Clubmoss faces severe decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its native range. Over-collection for traditional medicine and decorative purposes has significantly reduced wild populations, as the species' extremely slow growth rate makes recovery difficult. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, moist conditions this ancient species requires for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Wolf's-claw Clubmoss inhabits acidic soils in coniferous and mixed forests, moorlands, and mountain slopes, typically in cool, moist environments. The species thrives in well-drained but consistently humid conditions, often found in clearings, forest edges, and areas with partial shade.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Lycopodiaceae

Blue ClubmossEN

Blue Clubmoss

Diphasiastrum tristachyum

Unknown
VU

Zeiller's Ground-cedar

Diphasiastrum zeilleri

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Common Club Moss classified as Endangered?
Common Club Moss 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. Wolf's-claw Clubmoss faces severe decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its native range. Over-collection for traditional medicine and decorative purposes has significantly reduced wild populations, as the species' extremely slow growth rate makes recovery difficult. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, moist conditions this ancient species requires for survival.
Where does Common Club Moss live?
Common Club Moss 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 Common Club Moss?
The main threats to Common Club Moss 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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