Need help identifying a plant I found today.

[APEXDUCK]

I found this plant while deer hunting today. I've never seen or noticed anything like this before in my years of hunting and camping. Small group of leaves about 3 inches across with them being attached to a vine. These looked soft but are hard, much like a ceder tree needle. Can anyone help me ID this plant?

Thanks

APEXDUCK

 

[deserttrans]

Nope... but nice pic.

 

[DeletedMember58]

Those are the beginnings of a tree, I believe. Not sure exactly what kind, but I will bet their daddy is close by.

 

[cubrock]

Club moss. Very common here in the NC Piedmont.

 

[gunman42782]

Heathen devil weed marijuna?

 

[APEXDUCK]

Thanks ! Club moss it is !

APEXDUCK

 

[tookalisten]

We always called it "running cedar". I see it a lot too in my area.

 

[Highstandardguy]

The rangers at Umsted park call it running cedar. There's still quite a bit out there. It used to be a 'cash crop' in North Carolina because it was harvested to make Christmas wreaths.

 

[cubrock]

Yeah - I saw a lot at Umstead. There is also a bunch at Lake Norman State Park.

 

[Black Fly]

I've always heard it called Crows Foot, for a common name here in PA. Relatively common in moist, forested areas that are undisturbed. If I recall my old botany classes, it's more scientific name is Lycopodium. It's a relatively primitive plant, old in the geologic sense. It has a pretty unique reproductive process which totally escapes me right now. It predates flowering plants. Reproduces similar to ferns, but somehow differently, I believe. That was the whole reason for introducing the plant to us in class. Dr. Muelher would be very disappointed in me. Of course she was back then, too.
Bfly