Alpine clubmoss

The alpine clubmoss (Diaphastrum alpinum) is bound to the short, dry moors, on an area of bare ericaceous shrubland (heather). It is an artico-alpine species, which, as the adjective describes, is native to northern Europe. It found refuge at altitude in the Alps when global warming took place after the last ice age. It is a protected species in France. Other than autumn when its light green reproductive stems are visible, it is barely detectable to the layman’s eyes.