This plant is a member of the Huperzia selago complex, a wide ranging group in need of systematic revision. Can anybody comment on this identification?
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- Below and to the right of the large plant is a juvenile plant that is growing from a gemma
Collection Data (M. Sundue 3120)
Classification & Common Names
- Class: Lycopodiopsida
- Family: Lycopodiaceae
- Genus: Huperzia Bernh.
- Species: Huperzia somae (Hayata) Ching
- Var./Subsp.:
- Common name(s):
General Collection Data
- Date: 16-XII-2012
- Primary Collector & #: M. Sundue 3120
- Collection Party: M. Sundue, W.-L. chiou, P.-F. Liu, L.-Y. Kuo, Y.-C. Liu, H.-M. Chang, F. P. Cortico, V. Amoroso
- Det. History: W. Testo
- Habitat: Primary Forest
- Habit: Terrestrial
- Specimen Locations: CMU, VT
Additional Comments
Collection Location
- Location: Mt. Kitanglad – – Cagayan de Oro – Bukidnon – Philippines.
- Coordinates: 8.140221°N, 124.916579°E
- Elevation: ca. 2000 m
Cool plant, Michael. I think this is Huperzia somae (Hayata) Ching on account of the reflexed, linear leaves and delicate overall appearance. I think that H. selago s.s. is a bit more robust, with broader, usually ascending leaves.
As you said, the circumscription of H. selago is problematic, and in the broad sense it is very difficult to characterize morphologically.
Thanks Wes I will annotate the photo with that identification. Have you considered H. monticola Undwer. & F. E. Loyd? It was recently discovered as a new record for the Philippines on Mt. Kitanglad where I made this collection. See Amoroso et al. 2011. Diversity and assessment of plants in Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Bukidnon, Southern Philippines. Garden’s Bull. Singapore 63: 219–236.