Lycopodium taiwanense C. M. Kuo, Taiwania 30: 51. 1985; Huperzia formosana Holub; H. taiwanense (C. M. Kuo) C. M. Kuo.

Lycophytes, medium-sized. Stems caespitose, mature branches pendulous, 1 to several times forked, 10-25 cm, main stems 1-2 mm in diam., stem together with leaves ca. 10 mm wide. Leaves basally twisted and forming 2 rows. Trophophylls obliquely spreading but not amplexicaul, not lustrous, linear, 0.8-1.1 cm × 0.5-1.5 mm, leathery, midrib distinct, base cuneate, decurrent, sessile, margin entire, apex acuminate. Strobili thinner than sterile part, not columniform, terminal on branches. Sporophylls sparsely arranged, linear, 6-9 × ca. 1 mm, midrib distinct, base cuneate, margin entire, apex acute. Sporangia yellowish, reniform, vertically bisected.

Phlegmariurus taiwanensis Ching (Acta Bot. Yunnan. 4: 124. 1982) was not validly published because no Latin description or diagnosis, or reference to such, was provided (Melbourne Code, Art. 39.1); in addition, the combination Huperzia taiwanensis (Ching) Holub was not validly published.

This species is similar to Phlegmariurus pulcherrimus, but it is smaller, its branches are very slender, and its leaves are not amplexicaul.

● Epiphytic on tree trunks or rocks in forests; 1800-2500 m. Taiwan.