Selaginella, Krauss' Spike Moss, Forest Selaginella, Woud Aarmos - Selaginella
Selaginella kraussiana. Picture courtesy manuel m. v. from flickrCondensed Version:
Krauss' Spike Moss is a popular indigenous groundcover for shady gardens with luxuriant leaves and low growth, and is also a popular indoor pot plant. It’s used extensively in plant terrariums, and animal vivarium’s. In the garden it will grow about 5cm tall and can spread 30cm or more.
Selaginella is a very hardy evergreen perennial that thrives in moist conditions with high humidity and moderate to low light, in shady positions, and even in deep shade. The plants will tolerate higher light intensities and exposure to short periods of full sunlight as long as the soil can be kept moist. When exposed to higher light intensities the plants tend to turn yellowish, and if it’s too intense, the plant will scorch.
Although it thrives where temperatures drop to a minimum of 5 to 7°C in the winter months and grows well in the warmer, frost-free regions of the country where rainfall is good, it can also be grown in colder temperate climates where it will tolerant low winter temperatures, but will not survive being frozen.
Because the plant has a shallow root system, it can be grown in a wide range of garden soils, from clay to rich and fertile well-drained soils. An acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is preferable.
Pruning is not generally necessary.
If you wish to grow Selaginella kraussiana indoors in pots, it requires a potting media that retains humidity while not staying overly wet, and drains quickly. Keep it in a small pot and place it where it will receive bright light but no direct sunlight, and keep the growing medium moist at all times.
If you are growing it in a terrarium or a vivarium, remember that Kraus's spikemoss shouldn't be completely submerged in water, but does love staying moist with good levels of humidity. Soil thickness should be at least 5cm deep as the plant will root fairly deeply once it takes off.
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Description, History & Interesting Facts:
Selaginella is the only genus in the family Selaginellaceae, which has about 750 species, most of them occurring in the tropical parts of the world, but a few species reach arctic-alpine zones in both hemispheres. Approximately 86 species occur in Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands.
These cute, soft little plants we buy in small pots to place on tables and desks indoors are absolutely fascinating because they belong to the lycopods (class Lycopodiopsida). Lycopods were the first dominant set of plant lineages to have evolved vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) on Earth, together with algae, liverworts, mosses, hornworts, and ferns. They first appear in the fossil record over 400 million years ago, when the landscape was covered with lycophyte forests and shallow swamps.
Extinct lycophytes like Lepidodendron and Sigillaria grew into tall trees, branching dichotomously, meaning the equal division of a terminal bud, to produce a moss-like canopy of leaves called “microphylls” which could reach over 30m in the air, and some of these microphylls were several feet long! These now extinct lycophytes were responsible for the fixation of carbon, and much of the fossil fuels we use today are derived from these extinct arboreal lycophytes falling into swamps, slowing decomposition, and creating the layers of carbon-rich material that we now find as coal seams, oil and natural gas. They fixed such vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere they tempered the climate and made the air breathable.
Click here to see Google images of Lepidodendron
Click here to see Google images of Sigillaria
Lycopods are subdivided into three families: Lycopodiaceae (clubmosses), Selaginellaceae (spikemosses) and Isoëtaceae (quillworts).
Species of Selaginella are diverse in their various natural habitats, and a few members like Selaginella lepidophylla, commonly called “Flower of Stone”, “False Rose of Jericho”, “Resurrection Moss”, or “Dinosaur Plant”; and Selaginella rupestris, locally known as “Ledge Spike-moss” or “Rock Spike-moss”, can both survive with very little water (xerophytic) and grow on dry rocky cliffs, or on soils that are sandy and periodically become dry. Interestingly, under dry conditions, these species can survive dehydration by rolling up into brown balls, but they rehydrate quickly again under moist conditions and resume growth. This phenomenon is known as “poikilohydry”, and the reason why poikilohydric plants like these Selaginella species are also sometimes referred to as “resurrection plants”.
Selaginella bryopteris is native to India, where it is locally known as the Indian magical herb “Sanjeevni”. It is a lithophytic species that grows on rocks in the hills of tropical areas, particularly in the Aravalli Range of mountains, and also has remarkable ‘resurrection’ capabilities.
Click here to see Google images of "Sanjeevni" Selaginella bryopteris
Members like Selaginella oregana, known by the common name “Oregon Spikemoss”, and native to the Pacific Coast of western North America from British Columbia to northern California, is often epiphytic, growing in mossy, shady coastal forests by attaching itself to tree branches, with its stems hanging in sheets of green, moss-like streamers. It also grows on the ground and on rocks to form carpet-like mats.
Click here to see Google images of Selaginella oregana
Selaginella species also vary greatly in size, with some like Selaginella kraussiana, referred to by the common names “Krauss' Spikemoss”, or “African Clubmoss”, found naturally in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and in Macaronesia, only grows only a few centimetres tall, while others like Selaginella willdenovii known by the common names “Willdenow's Spikemoss”, and “Peacock Fern” due to its iridescent blue leaves, can reach several meters tall.
Click here to see Google images of our beautiful indigenous Selaginella kraussiana
Terrestrial plants may be creeping like Selaginella kraussiana; or sub-shrubs like Selaginella trachyphylla, native to China (Guangxi, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Guizhou) to Indo-China; or erect like Selaginella erythropus, called “Red Spikemoss”, that grows 30 to 40cm in height with a bright red main stem, and is endemic to the Yucatan and Belize to Colombia.
Click here to see Google images of Selaginella trachyphylla
I hope the information above, which is just a drop in the ocean when it comes to this family of plants, has inspired you to learn more about Selaginella and perhaps do some of your own research, but most of all I hope it has inspired you to try growing our very own luxuriant Selaginella kraussiana, be it indoors or outdoors. Spikemoss is safe around children and pets and can be a great plant to use when explaining aspects of Biology to children.
Selaginella kraussiana 'Aurea' Picture courtesy Megan Hansen from flickrKrauss' Spikemoss, African Club Moss, Golden Moss (Selaginella kraussiana)
Krauss' Spikemoss is one of six to eight Selaginella species occurring in South Africa and is relatively widespread and not considered threatened in the wild. In the garden it will grow about 5cm tall and can spread 30cm or more. In nature it loves to grow alongside the banks of dams and streams and even on moist cliff faces close to waterfalls, however, it is just as common along forest margins, and on the forest floor, away from water.
Selaginella kraussiana has become naturalized at Hermanus and Betty's Bay, and grows wild in the Tsitsikamma Forests of the Garden Route, as well as the milder, lower lying eastern parts of the Eastern Cape that receive higher rainfall, extending into KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It is also found in tropical Central and East Africa as far north as Ethiopia, as well as Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea, Madeira and the Azores.
It is named after Christian Ferdinand von Krauss (9 July 1812-15 September 1914), who became Director of the Natural History Museum in Stuttgart in 1856. He travelled and collected in South Africa from 1838 to 1840, and several South African plants species are named after him, including Selaginella kraussiana which he found in KwaZulu-Natal.
Sadly, this amazing little plant now seems to be more popular overseas than it is at home, but you can find it if you search a bit. It is still sold as a pot plant, and because it is a best seller for use in vivariums (animal terrariums) pet shops should stock selaginella. In the frost free regions of the country, garden centres may sell it as a groundcover, and especially indigenous nurseries – look out for Selaginella kraussiana, it’s so soft and pretty and really worth growing. Also look out for the two lovely cultivars below.
Kraus's Golden Spikemoss (Selaginella kraussiana 'Aurea') is a variation of Kraus's Spikemoss which has luminous golden-coloured foliage that will lighten up any damp, shady corner of the garden, spreading to form a thick, golden carpet.
Gold Tips Spikemoss (Selaginella kraussiana 'Gold Tips’) is a variation with light green foliage and lighter yellow-green tips.
In the Garden & Home:
This species makes a beautiful ground cover, and its prostrate habit makes it an ideal companion plant for cultivation in moist shaded areas together with larger growing perennials and ferns that also love the shade and lots of moisture. Krauss' Spikemoss is also wonderful cascading over the rims of pots or hanging baskets. Around garden water features it adds a final luxuriant and tropical touch, and between stepping stones or pavers it tolerates moderate foot traffic and is soft enough for a barefoot pathway.
It can do well as a houseplant as long as the humidity is not too low, and it’s perfect in small bowls on tables, desks and other places where a small plant might fit. Its fine foliage makes it a great candidate for dish gardens and glass terrariums that can be kept humid.
Spikemoss is also very popular to use in vivariums that are designed primarily to be a habitat for an animal. Being tropical, this plant does great in the high moisture environment of a well-drained vivarium, where it will expand to create a great groundcover for most fauna, and it can be trimmed if necessary.
Cultivation/Propagation:
Selaginella is a very hardy evergreen perennial that thrives in moist conditions with high humidity and moderate to low light, in shady positions, and even in deep shade. The plants will tolerate higher light intensities and exposure to short periods of full sunlight as long as the soil can be kept moist. When exposed to higher light intensities the plants tend to turn yellowish, and if it’s too intense, the plant will scorch.
Although it thrives where temperatures drop to a minimum of 5 to 7°C in the winter months and grows well in the warmer, frost-free regions of the country where rainfall is good, it can also be grown in colder temperate climates where it will tolerant low winter temperatures, but will not survive being frozen.
Because the plant has a shallow root system, it can be grown in a wide range of garden soils, from clay to rich and fertile well-drained soils. An acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0) is preferable.
Pruning is not generally necessary.
If you wish to grow Selaginella kraussiana indoors in pots, it requires a potting media that retains humidity while not staying overly wet, and drains quickly. Keep it in a small pot and place it where it will receive bright light but no direct sunlight, and keep the growing medium moist at all times.
If you are growing it in a terrarium or a vivarium, remember that Kraus's spikemoss shouldn't be completely submerged in water, but does love staying moist with good levels of humidity. Soil thickness should be at least 5cm deep as the plant will root fairly deeply once it takes off. As long as it is kept out of direct sun, it is typically forgiving and easy to care for, and although it looks delicate, in vivarium’s it can even tolerate occupants that tend to get rowdy in their enclosures!
Propagation is best done by vegetative means. This may be done through layering or the splitting of established plants. Stems 15cm or longer may also be laid on the ground, and at intervals lightly covered with soil. This is best done during summer when the plant is actively growing. Keep moist at all times.
Problems, Pests & Diseases:
Selaginella is generally trouble free.
Warning:
Selaginella kraussiana has no toxic effects reported and is safe around pets.
Krauss' Spike Moss, Forest Selaginella, Woud Aarmos - Selaginella kraussiana
The Cape Weed is classified as naturalised in South Africa
Cape Weed, Daisy Lawn, Frog Fruit, Matgrass, Turkey-tangle - Phyla nodiflora
Phyla nodiflora Picture courtesy Forest and Kim Starr from flickrCondensed Version:
This popular groundcover does not require much attention to thrive - as with many successful weeds, it will grow just about anywhere.
Although it thrives in the subtropics where it is evergreen, it is fully hardy in cold and frosty regions, where it will die down completely in winter and shoot again in spring. It’s a great coastal plant and can tolerate salt spray, but it does not do well in saline soils.
Cape weed loves to grow in full sun but will also take some shade. Although it loves moist, well drained, sandy or open soils, it is able to grow in poorly drained clay or nutrient poor soils, and once mature, can take short periods of drought.
It tolerates being mown about twice a year, and may be fertilised in spring with a complete fertiliser.
Full Version:
Description, History & Interesting Facts:
The Cape weed, Phyla nodiflora, is very tough and because it takes heavy foot-traffic, is often grown as a lawn substitute, or planted between pavers and stepping stones. Read more about this naturalised weed below.
Cape Weed is an evergreen flowering plant in the family Verbenaceae, and is native to the area from northern South America, to southern United States, and grows primarily in the subtropical biome, where it occurs in wetlands, wet prairies and near rivers, at altitudes of 0 to 400m. It also quickly establishes itself in disturbed areas with moist soil, around ponds, paddy fields, and ditches.
This little plant became a popular garden ornamental and today it can be found growing in many subtropical and tropical areas of the world, where it has naturalised in many places, including South Africa, where much like cosmos, it is considered naturalised, and is often mistakenly thought to be indigenous. Here, and in many other countries where it has naturalised, it is still grown as an ornamental groundcover in gardens, where, because of its extremely vigorous nature, it is known to invade lawns, and has escaped garden cultivation and occurs as a weed in moist, disturbed areas.
The Invasive Weeds Council of Australia has identified Phyla nodiflora as a serious weed danger and has advised gardeners to only grow it if they are sure they can control it. For this reason I also caution South Africans to be careful where they plant it, and please not to use this plant if you live close to green belts or other wild areas, and especially in moist areas near dams and rivers.
This widely spreading evergreen perennial herb generally grows around 5 to 10cm tall, but mature, unclipped specimens are known to reach greater heights, and the plant can produce stems up to 90cm long, becoming woody at the base as it matures. The green leaves are ovate with serrated margins, and the clusters of small white to pink flowers with their purple bases are showy, and can bloom all summer long. The fruits that follow are capsules that break up into ‘nutlets’ which are small, indehiscent, dry fruits. In its native habitat it is a butterfly food plant and is pollinated by insects, butterflies and moths.
The genus name "Phyla" is Greek for clan or tribe, in reference to how species in this genus often have many flowers that occur in tight clusters. The species epithet "nodiflora" is Latin for a term that means that flowers emerge from nodes. The common name "Matchweed" comes from the fact that the floral stalk and inflorescence together resemble a match.
Uses:
Traditionally the leaves of this plant were fed to cattle.
Medicinally, the leaves and immature stalks are used to make infusions that are administered to children with indigestion or women that have recently delivered a baby. A paste produced from the plant is also applied to boils and ulcers, and it is also used to treat lithiasis, the presence of stones that can originate in any part of the urinary tract. The plant is also used to treat common colds, and freshly pressed juice from the leaves is used on gums to stop bleeding.
In the Garden:
The Cape weed is very tough and because it can take heavy foot-traffic, it’s often grown as a lawn substitute, or planted between pavers and stepping stones. It makes an excellent groundcover that can withstand both drought and flooding, and is often used next to water features. It’s also lovely cascading over pots and hanging baskets. Because it is easy to grow in waterlogged soils it can be useful in draining sites.
However, care must be taken to restrain its growth, because due to its fast growth rate, it can overtake lawns or gardens. As a lawn substitute or between pavers it will need to be clipped regularly to keep it low and to prevent rampant growth.
Cultivation/Propagation:
Although this plant thrives in the subtropics where it is evergreen, it is fully hardy in cold and frosty regions, where it will die down completely in winter and shoot again in spring. It’s a great coastal plant and can tolerate salt spray, but it does not do well in saline soils.
Cape weed loves to grow in full sun but will also take some shade. Although it loves moist, well drained, sandy or open soils, it is able to grow in poorly drained clay or nutrient poor soils, and once mature, can take short periods of drought.
It tolerates being mown about twice a year, and may be fertilised in spring with a complete fertiliser.
Besides keeping it under control, this plant does not require much attention to thrive - as with many successful weeds, it will grow just about anywhere.
Problems, Pests & Diseases:
None of note.
Warning:
Phyla nodiflora is not listed as toxic to humans and pets but we always advise parents to supervise small children in the garden and to discourage pets from chewing on plants.