Lycopod

A lycopod, also known as a clubmoss, is a type of vascular plant that belongs to the division Lycopodiophyta. These plants are among the oldest lineages of land plants, with a fossil record stretching back to the Devonian period. Lycopods are characterized by their simple, leaf-like appendages called microphylls, which are typically small and scale-like. They reproduce via spores, which are produced in specialized structures called sporangia, often found at the tips of stems or in leaf axils. These sporangia are commonly aggregated into cone-like structures called strobili, giving rise to the "clubmoss" common name.

Modern lycopods are a diverse group, although many species are relatively small and herbaceous. They are found in a wide range of habitats, from tropical rainforests to temperate woodlands and even arctic regions. Some well-known examples include the genus Lycopodium, the clubmosses proper, and the genus Selaginella, often called spike mosses, which are distinguished by their heterospory (producing two different types of spores). Historically, lycopods were much more dominant in terrestrial ecosystems, with giant tree-like forms, such as Lepidodendron, forming vast forests during the Carboniferous period. The spores of some lycopods, particularly Lycopodium clavatum, have been used historically for various purposes, including as a dusting powder and in fireworks.