This low, evergreen plant carpets the forest floor, looking like a miniature pine tree. Its upright branches are stiff and slightly spiny to the touch, creating a prickly texture. Despite its mossy name, it is not a true moss but an ancient spore-bearing plant. Found in shady woodlands, it adds year-round greenery to the understory and has been growing in North American forests for millions of years.

Scientific name: Dendrolycopodium dendroideum