Generic Classification of Modern North American Lycopodiaceae

Abstract

Generic classification of North American Lycopodiaceae is analyzed in terms of the general factors that govern the recognition of the rank of genus, the character states that determine affinities, the hypothetical common ancestral groundplan, a tree based on these data, and a translation of this information into a classification scheme.The genera segregated here are based primarily on numerous characters of anatomy, chromosomes, spores, and gametophytes.Those groups that are recognized as genera have many distinguishing features, strong gaps separating them from other groups, monophylesis, uniquely derived states, inability to hybridize, and a level of segregation consistent ana comparable with generic division in other pteridophytes.The classification adopted is as follows: subfamily Huperzioideae {Phlegmariurus, Huperzia), subfamily Lycopodioideae (Lycopodium^ Diphasiastram\ and subfamily Lycopodielloideae {Pseudolycopodiella, Lycopodiella, and Palhinhaea), \