... additionally known as Ground Cedar, Cedar Ferns, Creeping Cedar, Clubmoss etc...
... pretty common hereabouts - usually found along the low end of drainages and draws...
... while "out and about" the other day stumbled across this area that was carpeted with 'em - they need a specific soil fungi to grow and subsequently (we understand) are impossible to cultivate - so the only place to see 'em is "in the wild"...
... not actually a pine or cedar but a fern - named for their resemblance to either of the two in miniature (a maple and oak leaf for scale)...
(internet image)
... however, it's ancient relative is the 'Lepidodendron' which existed around here close to 410 million years ago and is said to have topped out at a height of nearly 130 feet at 6 feet in diameter (see 'Lepidodendron and Sigillaria', 05/14)...
... close up of their evergreen leaves...
... the plants grow these club-like looking 'strobili' (hence the term "clubmoss") that produce spores that are highly combustible when ignited as an aerosol...
... so what's this got to do with a !!**!! tool!?...
(internet image)
... well, when manufactured, 'Lycopodium Powder' was used to create the flash on those old-time photographic flash bars that ya'd see recreated in period movies (and that the 'Three Stooges' would always wind up blowing themselves up with) as well as theatrics like magic shows...
(internet image)
... smile and say cheese...
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