• Leaves/stem: sterile stem; green, whorled branches that are spreading, often arching, further branched making them appear lacy, leaves; reduced to a toothed sheath that surrounds the stem, sheath slightly inflated in lower half and constricted some just below teeth
• Spores: Fertile stems; blunt-tipped, 1 to 1½ inch cone at the tip of the stem, initially pale pink to brownish and no branches, after spores are released stem changes and resembles sterile stems
• Fruiting season: Mid-late spring
• Height: 10-28 inches
• Habitat: shady woods and woodland edges