Lowly and Lovely

The “lace” of the plant kingdom is the low-growing selaginella, nicknamed spikemoss. They are moss-like, but are more complex with branching, horizontal stems and roots.

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I only have one type of selaginella that is hardy enough to leave outside. It is the Gemmiferous form that turns “rusty” colored in the winter, thus the name ferous/iron.

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Selaginella moellendoffll/Gemmiferous spikemoss

These ancient plants are even more primitive than the ferns. Their leaves are scale-like and small.

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They stay low to the ground due to their lack of supportive tissues.

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My favorite type is this lovely blue, appropriately called Peacock Spikemoss.

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Selaginella uncinata/Peacock Spikemoss

I also have a form that is sold under the name”Frosty Fern.” This is not a fern, it is a variegated spikemoss.

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Selaginella kraussiana

These lowly but lovely plants reproduce by spores, not seeds.

They are great in terrariums. ย I put them in with carniverous plants to keep them company. ย They love to grow up the glass.

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Follow the Flowerless.

5 thoughts on “Lowly and Lovely

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        Liked by 1 person

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