Summary: Three species of Huperzia are expected to occur in the Sitka area. In theory, they should be relatively easy to identify based on leaf shape, habitat, and where the gemmae are produced on the shoot. However, in practice, this seems not to be the case. It may be that some of the difficulty is due to hybridization.
Western Fir-moss: Leaves narrow at the base. In shaded forests, often along streams.
Alpine Fir-moss: Leaves do not narrow at base. Mature shoots 8-11 cm with gemmae along entire mature portion of shoot. Sub-alpine and alpine mossy habitat.
Pacific Fir-moss: Leaves do not narrow at base. Mature shoots 12-18 cm with gemmae at end of annual growth. Mossy boulders and marshes in conifer forests.
See the Huperzia account in FNA for more.
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