Some identify var. Evergreen, rhizomatous clubmoss with the appearance of tiny, thickly branched pine tree with oversized cones.
Vertical stem grows as individual little trees.
Horizontal stem creeping and branching well below ground. Circumpolar and transcontinental in boreal North America, south to Washington, Indiana, and North Carolina. Cool, boreal forests. Considered an indicator of cool temperature climates, fresh and very moist soils, nitrogen-poor soils, and compacted forest floors. Grows at cool temperatures, will tolerate low nutrients, and can withstand a wide range of light conditions.