Found this plant on property we bought to build a house. It was growing in a slight depression about 100′ from a creek in sandy mixed soil. Always wondered what it is and how care for it.
Thanks.
Hi Jon,
sorry about the delay – I had site access problems. Your plant is called Ground pine or Running cedar, and has had several scientific names, including Lycopodium flabelliforme, Lycopodium digitatum, and its current name Diphasiastrum digitatum. You can find out more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphasiastrum_digitatum It being a native wild plant, there shouldn’t be any special care for it, other then protecting its habitat. It usually grows in open areas especially under pines. It is a great plant related to the ferns, in that it reproduces by spores. It is a nice evergreen.
Sincerely,
Steve Hill, Botanist, SCNPS