Selaginella rupestris, the northern selaginella[2] sometimes locally known as ledge spike-moss or rock spike-moss, is a species of spike-moss occurring in dry rocky places in eastern North America, including one locality in Greenland. It has a wide but sporadic range. In the absence of water, it rolls into a ball for which, it is also known as bird nest moss. Again, when it comes in contact with water, it opens up.

Rock spike-moss
Selaginella rupestris[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Lycophytes
Class: Lycopodiopsida
Order: Selaginellales
Family: Selaginellaceae
Genus: Selaginella
Species:
S. rupestris
Binomial name
Selaginella rupestris


It is listed as imperiled and threatened in the State of Indiana.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Nathaniel Lord Britton & Addison Brown - An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions, 2nd edition (1913)
  2. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Selaginella rupestris". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Endangered, Threatened, Rare and Extirpated Plants of Indiana" (PDF). State of Indiana website.

External links edit