Adkins Arboretum Mystery Tuesday: Guess the photo:

Ground pine, or tree clubmoss, is neither a pine nor a moss. but is more closely related to ferns. This flowerless ground cover is rarely more than six inches tall and is a very slow grower.

Found in moist sites in woods, thickets, and clearings in nearly every county in Virginia and northern forests in North America and Asia, ground pines prefer acid soil and cool temperatures. The plant tolerates slow nutrients and can withstand a wide range of light conditions. If temperatures become warmer and the forest becomes drier, this species would be expected to decrease.

Lycopods reproduce asexually by spores. The dried spores of ground pine have been used for flash powder for early photography, and in entertainment, like in magic shows. Historically harvested from the wild for Christmas greens, excessive harvesting has threatened ground pines. States like Indiana and New York protect ground pine by state law.

Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.