Huperziaceae
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| iHuperziaceae (firmosses) | ||||||||||
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![]() Shining firmoss, Huperzia lucidula
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The family Huperziaceae is one of two families in the order Lycopodiales, and contains two or three extant genera:
- Huperzia (temperate firmosses); 10-15 species; terrestrial.
- Phlegmariurus (tropical firmosses); about 300-400 species; often included in Huperzia; mainly epiphytes.
- Phylloglossum (Pygmy Clubmoss); formerly thought to be only distantly related to Huperzia. This is a terrestrial, grass-like plant with basal, 2-5 cm long, fleshy leaves. The only listed species is Phylloglossum drummondii.
The Huperziaceae was formerly included in the family Lycopodiaceae, but is distinct in having erect (not creeping) growth; and in its spore-bearing structures being produced in the axils of unmodified leaves, unlike the terminal club-like structure produced by species in the Lycopodiaceae.


