Diphasiastrum alpinum
Alpine Clubmoss
Species Details
Alpine Clubmoss is a very rare native perennial that grows in two distinct habitats. It occurs in moorland in the Dark Peak Natural Area {Ladybower SK2187}, and amongst grasses and heathers on the waste from silica sand pits in the White Peak {Kenslow Pit SK1861; near Harborough Brickworks SK2354/SK2355}. Most older records were from the former habitat {Derwent SK19; Abney Moor SK17}. The silica sand sites thus provide an important refuge for the plant, but are themselves vulnerable to disturbance. Nationally it is a plant of northern moorland areas, with Derbyshire on the southern limits of its British distribution.
This plant is in Category 5b of the local Red Data List, 2009.