Selaginella rupestris, the northern selaginella[3] 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]

Secure  (NatureServe)[2]
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.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Nathaniel Lord Britton & Addison Brown - An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions, 2nd edition (1913)
  2. ^ "Selaginella rupestris | NatureServe Explorer". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  3. ^ NRCS. "Selaginella rupestris". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Endangered, Threatened, Rare and Extirpated Plants of Indiana" (PDF). State of Indiana website.
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