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(Selaginella kraussiana)
Krauss’ Spikemoss (Selaginella kraussiana)
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Rafael Medina
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Rafael Medina
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Rafael Medina | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Rafael Medina | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2022-07-26T20:31:59-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Selaginella kraussiana, commonly known as Krauss’ spikemoss, is an evergreen perennial herb native to the moist, shaded forest floors and stream banks of Sub-Saharan Africa and Macaronesia. It typically grows to a height of 2 inches with a creeping habit, featuring small, scale-like leaves that give it a fern-like appearance. The plant forms dense mats and is known for its vibrant green color and delicate texture.
Krauss’ spikemoss is valued for its ability to thrive in low-light conditions, making it an excellent choice for terrariums, as a ground cover in shaded gardens, or in greenhouses where humidity can be controlled. It prefers consistently moist soil, but not waterlogged conditions, and benefits from high humidity. While it does not produce showy flowers, its lush foliage provides a continuous carpet of green throughout the year. In cultivation, it is important to ensure that it does not become invasive, as it can spread rapidly under favorable conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Krauss’ spikemoss is valued for its ability to thrive in low-light conditions, making it an excellent choice for terrariums, as a ground cover in shaded gardens, or in greenhouses where humidity can be controlled. It prefers consistently moist soil, but not waterlogged conditions, and benefits from high humidity. While it does not produce showy flowers, its lush foliage provides a continuous carpet of green throughout the year. In cultivation, it is important to ensure that it does not become invasive, as it can spread rapidly under favorable conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Subshrub
- Height: 0.2-0.3 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid, Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant
Natural Habitat
Moist, shaded forest floors and stream banks in Sub-Saharan Africa and Macaronesia
Other Names
Common Names: Krauss’s Spikemoss , Trailing Selaginella , Krauss’s Clubmoss , Garden Selaginella , Lusaku , African Clubmoss , Mat Spike-Moss , Sharanhima
Scientific Names: Selaginella kraussiana , Didiclis kraussiana , Didiclis poulteri , Gymnogynum kraussianum , Lycopodioides azorica , Lycopodioides canescens , Lycopodioides kraussiana , Lycopodioides poulteri , Lycopodium kraussianum , Selaginella azorica
GBIF Accepted Name: