PHYLLOGLOSSUM

a plant genus of the order Lycopodiales (division Lycophyta, i.e., club mosses), containing one species, P. drummondii, native to Australia and New Zealand. It is believed to be very old because of its high number of chromosomes. Phylloglossum has a bulblike underground base, a few spike-shaped, succulent leaves, and one stalk bearing a cluster of scalelike leaves bearing capsules. The plant is 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) tall. It dies to a tuber during the dry season and reappears with the return of the rains.