Northern firmoss is a North American native. The genus Huperzia is named for a German
horticulturalist, Johann Peter Huperz; selago derives from Greek, meaning "flashing."
Identification: It is easy to overlook these diminutive plants,
poking through forest litter. They grow horizontally under the old leaves, producing erect columns
less than 4″ (10 cm) high, in small clusters or rows. Each column is covered with tiny leaflets
⅛-¼″ (5-7.5 mm) × ~⅛″ (3.5-4 mm). Each leaflet is shaped like a narrow triangle; those
near the bottom are somewhat wider. Leaflets are smooth, shiny, and dark green, with edges that
are smooth or sometimes slightly serrated. With magnification, you can see stomates on the leaf
surfaces.
The red berries are Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense.). · 9/26/2011 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 12″ (20 × 31 cm) ID is uncertain