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.