Pennantia corymbosa < Species index > Phormium tenax
Whiri o Raukatauri
Hanging clubmoss
Photo: Jeremy Rolfe
This article was published in the Tararua Tramper July 2026
July In the hills with Michele Dickson and Chris Horne
Phlegmariurus varius, Whiri o Raukatauri, Hanging clubmoss
Phlegmariurus comes from two Greek words: phlégma, meaning "fire" or "inflamed," and ourá (ουρά), meaning "tail". This name describes the appearance of the plants, which feature long, tail-like fertile spikes or "tassel-ferns"; varius means “variable” or “different”.
Phlegmariurus varius was previously named Lycopodium varium. Lycopodium / Phlegmariurus species belong to the clubmoss family Lycopodiaceae, one of the families of fern allies. They have a primitive vascular system with unbranched veins in their small leaves and sporangia borne on the upper surface of the leaves, often in cones. The other one of the two New Zealand species of hanging clubmoss is the endemic P. billardierei which also occurs locally.
Distribution and habitat
It grows on Raoul Island in the Kermadecs, Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands, Te Ika a Māui / North Island, Te Waipounamu / South Island, Rakiura / Stewart Island, Rekohu / Chatham Island, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Motu Ihupuku / Campbell Island. It also occurs in Australia. Look for hanging clubmoss in coastal to subalpine forest, mostly epiphytic on trees or on rocks in scrub.
Growth habit
The main stems branch once to many times near the base. The branches are tufted, erect or suberect if terrestrial or pendulous if epiphytic, 0.08–2.0 m long. The leaves, 9–18 mm long, which spread out spirally from the stem are deep green to yellow-green, sometimes tinged orange, with sometimes thickened margins. There is a transition from the sterile state to a spore-forming zone which may be abrupt or gradual.
Reproduction
Spores are produced in sporangia in the spore-forming zone of a branch, mostly not clearly defined into cones / strobili like many other clubmosses. The spores released from the sporangia develop into the alternate life-cycle stage.
Uses for Whiri o Raukatauri
A large clump of hanging clubmoss may interest a photographer.
Where can you find Whiri o Raukatauri?
Look for it in Wellington and Hutt Valley areas of bush, Belmont and East Harbour Regional Parks and Akatarawa, Aorangi, Tararua and Remutaka Forest Parks.