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(Selaginella densa)
Lesser Spikemoss (Selaginella densa)
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Ed Alverson
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Ed Alverson
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Ed Alverson | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Ed Alverson | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2022-09-09T12:43:16-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements for Boynton Beach, Florida
| This Plant | Your Site | Plant Suitability for Your Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Precipitation | 9" - 168" | 60" | Aquatic | Aquatic |
| • High Temp. | 53°F - 95°F | 91°F | Your summer temperatures are normal for this plant. | Excellent |
| • Low Temp. | -17°F - 40°F | 57°F | OK, but your winter temperatures are warmer than normal for this plant | OK |
This plant may not grow well at your location - your precipitation is too high.
Summary
Selaginella densa, commonly known as lesser spikemoss, prairie spikemoss, and Rocky Mountains spikemoss, is a perennial herb native to a variety of habitats in western North America, including grasslands, rocky slopes, and alpine tundra. It is particularly adapted to arid and semi-arid regions, often found in rocky and sandy areas. This lycophyte typically forms dense mats or cushions of creeping stems with small, upright branches, reaching up to 2 inches in height. The leaves are green, lance-shaped, and scale-like, contributing to the plant’s overall fine-textured appearance.
Lesser spikemoss is valued for its ability to stabilize soil and its drought tolerance, making it suitable for rock gardens, xeriscaping, and restoration projects. It is also used in miniature and fairy gardens due to its low-growing, mat-forming habit. In cultivation, it requires well-drained soil, can tolerate full sun to partial shade, and needs minimal water once established. While it is not prone to many diseases, overwatering can lead to root rot.CC BY-SA 4.0
Lesser spikemoss is valued for its ability to stabilize soil and its drought tolerance, making it suitable for rock gardens, xeriscaping, and restoration projects. It is also used in miniature and fairy gardens due to its low-growing, mat-forming habit. In cultivation, it requires well-drained soil, can tolerate full sun to partial shade, and needs minimal water once established. While it is not prone to many diseases, overwatering can lead to root rot.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Fern
- Height: 0.5-1 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
Native to grasslands, rocky slopes, and alpine tundra in western North America
Other Names
Common Names: Dense Clubmoss, Prairie Spikemoss, Lesser Spikemoss, Mountain Spike-Moss, Small Clubmoss, Spikemoss, Rocky Mountain Spikemoss, Common Selaginella
Scientific Names: Selaginella densa, Bryodesma densum, Selaginella densa var. densa, Selaginella engelmannii, Selaginella haydenii, Selaginella longipila, Selaginella rupestris f. engelmannii, Selaginella rupestris f. haydenii, Selaginella rupestris f. longipila
GBIF Accepted Name: Selaginella densa