After SCA's prescribed forest fires: Unique species discovery

“It’s fantastic!” states SCA’s forest ecologist Anna Cabrajc. “Previously, the northernmost known location was in southern parts of Dalarna, but now it’s growing at four sites on SCA's land in northern Sweden.”  

Lycopodium zeilleri is a low-growing plant that benefits from forest fires. It survives fires due to its relatively deep creeping stems and can spread widely with its spores.  

“SCA has carried out several prescribed forest fires in the Hornsjömon area, north of Viksjö. By doing these burning, we create habitats for species that benefit from or depend on a fire-affected forest to survive. Therefore, the Medelpad Botanical Society’s discovery is an extra positive indication of the benefits of these prescribed forest fires,” says Anna.

Prefers light and open pine forests

Lycopodium zeilleri is protected by law and grows primarily in light and open pine forests on dry, sandy, and gravelly soils, which are usually lichen-dominated.

“This habitat is quite typical for Hornsjömon. The area is also interesting due to the presence of different species of soil fungi, such as the velvet false morel, which is also favored by prescribed forest fires,” says Anna.

The Medelpad Botanical Society now plans to visit the area in autumn 2025 to investigate if there are more Lycopodium zeilleri growing nearby, and possibly in other areas that SCA has burned in Sörgraninge as well.

“SCA and the Medelpad Botanical Society have had a collaborative relationship for three years now, and we greatly appreciate their knowledge about plants which they can contribute to our conservation efforts,” says Anna. “I hope we can arrange a survey this autumn.”

The top image shows the old, somewhat “faded” spore-bearing shoots and the new, healthier green shoots that are evergreen under the snow and will produce next year’s spores.

Photo: Håkan Sundin, Medelpad Botanical Society