They are known as "clubmosses," these miniature, primitive plants related to ferns. Their true name here on Santa Cruz Island is Lycopodium cernuum. Actually they are neither moss nor fern, but their club-shaped fruiting bodies are what have given them their name. They stand out from the surrounding bracken ferns with their bright green coloration, standing as tall as 40 cm. in height (normally unheard of in lycopods)!!
Come to the highlands, where there is moisture year-round, and along the rim of the craters you will see them standing guard at the edge.