E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

Species description:
Genus name is derived from the broad perforations in the ladder-like, inner-peristome teeth. Species name describing the tree­like form of the plants.

Reproduction:
Sporophytes infrequent except in floodplain areas where they are sometimes locally abundant in late winter and early spring; red-brown throughout.

Distinguishing characteristics:
The miniature, tree-like plants that arise from a creeping stem are highly characteristic.

Habit:
Forming loose, tall turfs of miniature trees that arise from creeping shoots; dark green to light green with reddish-brown stems. Habitat: Terrestrial or on logs (rarely on rock), in wet to marshy habi­tats, most luxuriant in areas subject to periodic flooding, from sea level to subalpine elevations; relatively widespread bur not common.

Similar Species:
Although Leucolepis acanthoneuron has miniature tree­like plants, these do not arise from a creeping shoot. The leaves of the main stem of L. acanthoneura are whitish and narrowly triangular while those of Climacium are heart-shaped and green. Sporophytes of Leucolepis are frequent in spring and sporangia are nodding, compared to the erect sporangia of Climacium.