Feature Article December 11, 2003
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Club MossesChristmas and time for decorating. Sometimes you may find club mosses in Christmas and floral decorations, because these little plants stay green long after they are gathered. What are club mosses? First they are not a moss, and though their growth often looks similar to a small pine tree and are called ground pines, they are not related to the pines. Club mosses are descendants of the giant ferns which were some of the earliest plant life on earth. Millions of years ago these grew as tall as our largest trees in huge forests. Much of the earths coal fields is made up of the fossils of these plants. Now the club mosses rarely grow to 12 inches (30 cm) in height, but they can still be found in boreal forests and other areas around the world. Some, like Running Club Moss, are found in dry, mossy sites in the forests, while other species such as the Bog Club Moss may grow in wet, open areas in bogs.
In general, the club mosses look like tiny pine trees or miniature spruce trees, though some are more spike-like in appearance. In autumn as you walk into the forest you may see dark green plants contrasting with the brown litter of fallen leaves. Many of these will be the evergreen club mosses. New colonies are formed from spores which develop underground, maybe for as long as 20 years before it emerges above ground, after which it will spread by runners either just along or underneath the surface of the ground. There it will grow its spike or miniature tree and propagate either by dropping off small bulblets or by spores borne on spikes. Tap one of these spikes in early winter and you may see a cloud of yellow spores released into the air. These spores have long been collected and used as a flash powder for old style cameras and magic acts or to produce lightning on stage, and are still collected for use in fireworks. They ignite quickly and cause a small, explosive flash and were called witchs powder. A hand covered with the spores can be dipped in water without becoming wet because the spores repel water so strongly. These spores have been used as a dusting powder in surgery and to treat skin problems, but can irritate mucous membranes. The full plants have been used medicinally, with fresh plants placed on the head to cure headaches, or worn on the clothing to ward off illness. Sometimes they have been boiled to produce an eye wash. Club mosses are still used by herbalists both internally and externally for a wide variety of ailments. However they are used, they remain an attractive little plant on the forest floor or in a Christmas wreath. Observations: Mark Saunders on Burke Settlement Road has a Gray Jay coming to his feeders. He also saw a Golden Eagle on Nov. 14. Diane Johnston on Guigue Road was surprised to see a Belted Kingfisher perched at the edge of the lake on Dec. 1, and she saw 200 to 300 Common Mergansers on Bobs Lake on Nov. 29. Bill Kennett on Armstrong Line, Maberly, discovered a White-throated Sparrow among some Dark-eyed Juncos on Dec. 2. Winter wanderers will appear; please let me know - Jean Griffin at 268-2518.
