Skip to main content
dwarf lycopod

dwarf lycopod

9.9
A small low plant that grows in clumps and forms loose mats on the ground in eastern North America
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : licopodio enano
  • The dwarf lycopod can be found carpeting the forest floor in moist, shaded areas.

Examples

  • Many gardeners appreciate dwarf lycopod for its low-growing, mat-forming habit in rock gardens.

  • Botanists recorded the presence of dwarf lycopod in several locations across eastern North America.

  • The dwarf lycopod thrives in shaded areas.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the dwarf lycopod for its unique appearance.

  • Botanists recorded the presence of dwarf lycopod in several locations across eastern North America.

  • Many gardeners appreciate dwarf lycopod for its low-growing, mat-forming habit in rock gardens.

  • The dwarf lycopod can be found carpeting the forest floor in moist, shaded areas.

Synonyms

Selaginella rupestris
vsdwarf lycopod
  • Specialized
9.9

A small plant that forms loose mats on rocks in eastern North America

is a common label rather than a species designation
rock spikemoss
vsdwarf lycopod
  • US
9.9

A small green plant that grows in thin mats on rocks

focuses on the plant type without the scientific name
meadow spikemoss
vsdwarf lycopod
  • US
9.9

A small green plant that makes a low carpet on wet ground

is looser forming open mats
Selaginella apoda
vsdwarf lycopod
  • Specialized
9.9

A small plant that forms dense green mats on the ground

forms loose spreading mats instead of dense ones
basket spikemoss
vsdwarf lycopod
  • US
9.9

A small plant that makes a green mat on the ground in shady places

grows as loose spreading mats rather than dense mats

How Big

shrub
44 1.0
herbaceous plant
  • Specialized
1 4.5
groundcover
  • Specialized
1 4.7
dwarf lycopod
  • US
9.9
moss
46 1.0

Surface Forms

dwarf lycopod singular

Morphology

dwarf + lycopod

The phrase is directly compositional: 'dwarf' means unusually small and 'lycopod' names a type of plant, so 'dwarf lycopod' denotes a small lycopod species. This follows a common adjective+noun pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the basic meaning even if they lack specific botanical knowledge.

Etymology

Dwarf lycopod describes a very small dwarf plant in the lycopod group. The word lycopod may come from old words meaning 'wolf' and 'foot' because the tiny leaf clusters look a bit like a little paw, so the name helps you picture a tiny, low plant that spreads like a green carpet.