What is moss ferns?

Moss ferns, also known as clubmosses, are ancient plants that have been around for over 400 million years. They are often found growing in damp, shaded areas such as forests, swamps, and along streams. Moss ferns are not true ferns, but instead belong to the family Lycopodiaceae, and are more closely related to lycopods and quillworts.

Moss ferns are low-growing plants, with a creeping or prostrate habit. They have small, scale-like leaves that grow in compact, spiral clusters along the stem. Unlike true ferns, they do not produce flowers or seeds, but instead reproduce through spores that are produced in small cone-like structures called strobili.

Although they are not widely used in landscaping, moss ferns can make an attractive ground cover in shaded areas of the garden. Some species of moss fern, such as Lycopodium clavatum and Selaginella kraussiana, are also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Moss ferns are sensitive to pollution and habitat destruction, and many species are considered threatened or endangered in the wild.