These are the first "green things" of late winter/early spring
I find in the forest (along with ferns). These pop up before
the wildflowers.
I wondered what they were.
I have found out that they are called Fan Clubmoss
also known as Ground Cedar and also known as Bears Paw in Southwest Virginia (where I am)
Wikipedia has some great info on this plant - HERE
These were seen during my walk along
Deerfield Trail in Blacksburg, VA on 02-21-18