SafePlants

Bluish Spike-moss (Selaginella asprella)

Discover the fascinating world of Selaginella asprella, commonly known as Bluish Spike-moss. This intriguing plant, resembling a moss but more closely related to ferns, boasts unique characteristics and a captivating appearance.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is described as having low-growing, trailing stems.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Selaginella asprella Maxon
• Common Name: Bluish Spike-moss
• Family: Selaginellaceae (Spike-moss family)
• Genus: Selaginella Beauv.

Distribution and Habitat

• Selaginella asprella can be found growing in granite slopes, such as those along the trail to Burkhart Saddle in the San Gabriel Mountains.
• Also, it is present in North America, growing in montane chaparral, granitic/rocky areas.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• This plant is a pteridophyte, a type of fern.
• It is a forb/herb, meaning it is a non-woody plant that is not a grass.
• It has low-growing, trailing stems.
• The new growth has beautiful pinkish-green hues that mature to a deep blue-green with a metallic blue sheen.

Interesting Traits

• The foliage is known for its striking, iridescent, bluish-green color in the summer, which changes to a rusty-rose hue later in the season.

Other Species

• Selaginella uncinata: Also known as peacock moss, peacock spikemoss, blue spikemoss, rainbow fern, or love-in-a-tangle. The foliage is metallic-blue and does not flower. Synonyms include Lycopodium uncinatum and Lycopodioides uncinatum.
• Selaginella bigelovii: This species is also part of the Selaginella genus.
• Selaginella willdenowii: A species from Malaysia, known by common names such as Peacock Moss, Paku Selemah, or Blue Spike Moss.
• Selaginella armata: Another species of spikemoss, known as armored spikemoss.
• Selaginella apoda: Also known as meadow spike-moss.
• Selaginella kraussiana: Known as Krauss's Selaginella or Trailing Spikemoss, noted for an iridescent blue-green sheen.