SELAGINELLA RUPESTRIS
(L.) Spring
Rock Spike-moss
FAMILY: Selaginellaceae
HABIT: Tufted evergreen perennial, 2-6 cm.; sporulating
July-October.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Strikingly similar to a bryophyte. Distinguished
by its thick leaves with ciliolate margins.
TOTAL RANGE: Que. to s. Man., s. to n. GA, AL, AR, and e.
OK.
STATE RANGE: There are post-1960 collections from 3
counties: Fairfield, Jackson, and Portage. There are pre-1960 specimens from
Highland, Hocking, and Licking counties.
STATE STATUS: 1980-1985: Threatened, 1986-1999: Endangered,
2000 to present: Presumed Extirpated.
HABITAT: In open sun on well-drained rock exposures,
frequently in barren situations which are only periodically moist.
HAZARDS: Overgrowth by woody species through succession;
trampling; rock-climbing.
RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Unknown, probably poor.
INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Collect complete, mature specimens;
avoid over-collecting.
COMMENTS: This mat-forming fern ally is so like a moss that most
people probably overlook it. All known populations in Ohio were very small in
extent. Not all of these may still be extant. This species should be sought in
appropriate habitats throughout Ohio. More populations likely may be located.
SELECTED REFERENCES:
Flora
of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North
of Mexico. 4+ vols. New York and Oxford. (The Selaginellaceae is treated in Volume 2.)
Mohlenbrock, R.H. 1967. Illustrated flora of Illinois: the
ferns. Southern Illinois Univ. Press, Carbondale, IL.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Created: 3/1982 Allison W. Cusick
Database Code: SPEY.F47