Clubmoss (Selaginella selaginoides, Hort. Reg. Monac.: 3 (1829))

Family: Selaginellaceae

Author: (L.) P.Beauv. ex Schrank & Mart.

Bibliography: Hort. Reg. Monac.: 3 (1829)

Year: 1829

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Selaginella

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Clubmoss, scientifically known as Selaginella selaginoides, is an intriguing and ancient plant species. It belongs to the family Selaginellaceae and has a noteworthy place in botanical history. This enduring plant was first detailed in the publication Hort. Reg. Monac. in 1829, with authorship attributed to (L.) P.Beauv. ex Schrank & Mart.

Predominantly found in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Clubmoss thrives in a variety of climates that support its unique biological structure. This hardy plant is often encountered in moist, shaded areas where it can grow freely, unhindered by the harsh conditions that might impact other species.

The defining characteristics of Clubmoss include its diminutive, moss-like appearance, which distinguishes it from the more common flowering plants. Its intricate network of stems and small, scale-like leaves present a lush green tapestry, adding to the diverse flora of its native habitats.

Clubmoss plays a significant ecological role, particularly in forested and alpine ecosystems. It contributes to the soil’s structural integrity and moisture retention, thus supporting a suite of other plant and animal species within its habitat. This plant is also of interest to those studying evolutionary biology due to its ancient lineage and adaptation strategies.

Given its robust nature and ecological importance, Clubmoss stands as a vital component of the ecosystems in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, continuing to be a subject of scientific interest and admiration.

Common Names

Eng: club spikemoss, lesser-club-moss, northern spike-moss, prickly mountain-moss, low spikemoss, low selaginella, mountain-moss, northern spikemoss, prickly spikemoss
Deu: dorniger moosfarn, gezähnter moosfarn
Dan: dværgulvefod
Nno: dvergjamne
Nob: dvergjamne
Swe: dvärglummer, mähkä, mosslummer
Fin: mähkä
Nor: wesle-vippa
Fra: sélaginelle fausse-sélagine, sélaginelle fausse, sélaginelle sélaginoïde
En: Clubmoss, Low Spikemoss, Club spikemoss, Northern spikemoss, Lesser-club-moss, Northern spike-moss, Prickly mountain-moss, Low selaginella, Mountain-moss, Prickly spikemoss
Da: Dværgulvefod
Fi: Mähkä
Fr: Sélaginelle spinuleuse, Selaginelle fausse sélaginelle, Sélaginelle épineuse, Sélaginelle fausse-sélagine, Sélaginelle fausse, Sélaginelle sélaginoïde
De: Gezähnter Moosfarn, Alpen-Moosfarn, Dorniger Moosfarn, Tannen-Moosfarn
It: Selaginella alpina
No: Wesle-vippa
Nb: Dvergjamne
Nn: Dvergjamne
Sv: Dvärglummer, Mähkä, Mosslummer

Synonyms

• Lycopodium ciliatum (Lam.)
• Selaginella ciliata (Opiz)
• Lycopodium selaginoides (L.)
• Lycopodioides selaginoides ((L.) Kuntze)
• Selaginella spinosa (P.Beauv.)
• Bernhardia spinosa (Gray)
• Selaginella spinulosa (A.Braun ex Döll)
• Selaginella spinosa var. minor (Spring)
• Lycopodina spinulosa ((A.Braun ex Döll) Bubani)
• Lycopodium bryophyllum (C.Presl)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Poland (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Daniel Bäck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Daniel Bäck (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Daniel Bäck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Daniel Bäck (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2688197)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60452842-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Selaginella selaginoides (L.) P. Beauv. ex Mart. & Schrank)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 2