Scientific Name: Phlegmariurus varius

Common Name: long clubmoss

Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes

Family: Lycopodiaceae

Form Description: Fern ally with stems erect or hanging, sometimes branching, leaves in spiral, overlapping, upright, lance-shaped.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsDerwent ValleyDorsetFlindersGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKingboroughMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine VegetationCoastal VegetationRainforest
Habitat Notes

Widespread in Tasmania but seldom locally abundant. A variable species ranging from stunted upright plants on the coast and on mountain summits above 1000m to long pendulous plants in deep shade within rainforest. Usually terrestrial, but may be lithophytic and sometimes epiphytic.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Shady, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained

General Notes

Epiphytic, Lithophytic. Requires a coarse potting mix that gives excellent drainage and aeration. Fern fibres, pine bark, orchid bark, charcoal and coarse gravel are suitable. Suits hanging baskets if watered regularly.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Specialist Method

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Sporangia borne in the axils of sporophylls.

Cutting & Division Information

Roots of the upright species of this family are initiated at the growing tip and grow downward to emerge from the base of the plant. Thus, it is possible to propagate epiphytic species of the family from tip cuttings. It is not yet known whether this method can be used in cultivation for this Tasmanian species.