Selaginella densa Rydb.
compact selaginella (lesser spikemoss)
Selaginellaceae (Spike-moss family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Bryan Kelly-McArthur     (Photo ID #83966)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Selaginella densa
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Evergreen perennial forming dense flat circular mats 5-20 cm across, 1-3 cm tall.
Leaves:
Lanceolate, 1.5-2 mm long, 0.4-0.7 mm wide, margins fringed with long hairs and with white, 0.5-1.5 mm long, short-hairy, bristle tips.
Cones:
Unstalked, tetragonal, 5-20 mm long, 1-2 mm wide; sporophylls egg-shaped to lanceolate with fringed margins and long-bristled tips.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Selaginella densa

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
1404 184 3000
Slope Gradient (%)
33 0 160

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

184 0 360
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
1 0 6
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
B
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
1333
Modal BEC Zone Class
ESSF

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

AT(126), BAFA(37), BG(174), BWBS(2), CMA(2), CWH(2), ESSF(337), ICH(65), IDF(254), IMA(59), MH(1), MS(88), PP(148), SBPS(4), SBS(11), SWB(1)

Habitat and Range

Dry soil and rocks in the steppe and montane zones; frequent in SC BC; E to SE ON and S to OK, NM and AZ.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Selaginella densa var. densa Rydb.