Botanical Description
Selaginella spp. are considered some of the oldest living vascular plants, having survived from the Carboniferous period more than 300 million years ago. Selaginella spp. are typically small, herbaceous plants that often form dense mats in tropical and temperate regions. One of the most striking features of these plants is their distinctive, overlapping leaves, which are arranged in spirals along their stems. These leaves give the plants their characteristic “spiky” appearance, hence the name spike moss. The plants grow close to the ground and are usually found in shaded, moist environments, such as rainforests, forest floors, and stream banks.
Historical / Cultural Significance
While Selaginella spp. are not commonly used in agriculture, they have some ecological significance. They help to prevent soil erosion in areas with dense vegetation and retain moisture in the soil. In some cultures, certain species are also used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Folklore / Etymology
Selaginella sp or peacock fern/pakis merak, is actually a moss. Selagos: “a kind of plant” or “a species of moss”, combined with the suffix “-ella”, which denotes a diminutive form, implying a “smaller” or “lesser” version.