Diphasium carolinum Lawalrée
Diphasiastrum carolinum (Lawalrée) Holub

Main stems creeping on the ground, sending up ascending to erect branches, slightly compressed and up to 1.5–2 mm wide; ultimate branches 1.8–2.7 mm wide, including leaves. Leaves of the ultimate sterile ramifications of three kinds, all fused in their lower part to the axis which bears them; dorsal leaves with free part 1–1.8 x 0.4–0.7 mm; lateral leaves 3–6 x 1.2–2.2 mm; ventral leaves 1–2 x 0.3–0.8 mm. Spikes 1–2.7 cm long, borne on a peduncle up to 16 cm long and forked up to five times, and bearing leaves 2.5–3 mm long; bracts up to 3 x 1.7 mm, subpeltate, broadly ovate, base truncate to cordate, apex acuminate, subentire.

Erica formations, mixed Erica and bamboo formations, alpine meadows; from 2700 to 3300 m altitude.

See African distribution.

Dem. Republic of Congo.

Terrestrial.