Aerial stems dimorphic; vegetative stems brownish to green, branched, 25--70 cm; hollow center 1/6--1/3 stem diam. Sheaths squarish in face view, 3--6 × 2.5--6 mm; teeth reddish, 8--18, papery, 3--10 mm, coherent in 3--4 large groups. Branches in regular whorls, delicate, arching, branched, solid; ridges 3--4; valleys channeled; 1st internode of each branch longer than subtending stem sheath; sheath teeth attenuate. Fertile stems brown, with stomates, initially unbranched, persisting and becoming branched and green after spore discharge. 2 n =216.
Phenology
Cones maturing in late spring
Altitude range
0--2800 m
Distribution
GreenlandSt. Pierre and MiquelonEuropen Asia to ne ChinaJapan in Hokkaido.USA AlaskaUSA Conn.USA Del.USA IdahoUSA IowaUSA MaineUSA Md.USA Mass.USA Mich.USA Minn.USA N.H.USA N.J.USA N.Y.USA N.Dak.USA OhioUSA Pa.USA R.I.USA S.Dak.USA Vt.USA Va.USA Wash.USA W.Va.USA Wis.Canada Alta.Canada B.C.Canada Man.Canada N.B.Canada Nfld.Canada N.W.T.Canada N.S.Canada Ont.Canada P.E.I.Canada Que.Canada Sask.Canada Yukon
