Lycopodiinae

Abstract

Without giving a detailed account of the earlier systems of classification in which divisions of this group were included a few examples may be given to illustrate how the present system of classification has evolved. Dillenius in his Historia Muscorum (1741) distinguished Selago, Lycopodium, Selaginoides, and Lycopodioides as distinct genera. Selaginoides included Selaginella Selaginoides, while Lycopodioides included other species of Selaginella. Calamaria was the name given to what is now termed Isoëtes. Homospory or heterospory and the presence or absence of a ligule were not recognised as of important diagnostic value until near the end of the following century. Linnaeus in the Species Plantarum (1753) included the Lycopods among the Mosses while Isoëtes was placed with the Filices. Sprengel in the Systema Ve-getabilium (1827) recognised the existence of dimorphic sporangia but did not regard it as of diagnostic value. He included Psilotum and Lycopodium in the Lycopodeae but his Lycopodium included Selaginella as well as Lycopodium. Endlicher (1836) classified the Lycopods as follows:

Ordo XXV Isoëteae (Isoëtes, Stigmaria and Lepidodendron Veltheimianum). Ordo XXXVI Lycopodiaceae (Psilotum, Lycopodium, Lycopodites, Selaginites. Lycopodium including Selago, Lepidotis, and Stachygynandrum). Ordo XXXVII Lepidodendreae (Lepidodendron, Ulodendron, Lepidostrobus, Cardiocarpon).