Mesa spikemoss facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mesa spikemoss |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Lycophytes |
| Class: | Lycopodiopsida |
| Order: | Selaginellales |
| Family: | Selaginellaceae |
| Genus: | Selaginella |
| Species: |
S. cinerascens
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| Binomial name | |
| Selaginella cinerascens A.A.Eaton
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| Synonyms | |
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Selaginella cinerascens, also called mesa spikemoss, gray spikemoss, or ashy spikemoss, is a unique plant. It is a type of spikemoss, which are ancient plants related to ferns. Unlike many plants, spikemosses do not grow flowers.
This plant is found naturally in Baja California and some areas of San Diego County, California. It prefers dry places, often growing on clay soil. You can see it in open areas or sometimes under the shade of larger plants.
What Does It Look Like?
Selaginella cinerascens often forms flat, spreading mats on the ground. Its stems can grow up to 18 centimeters (about 7 inches) long. The plant usually looks gray or brown, creating a dull-colored carpet.
Its small leaves are about 1 to 3 millimeters long. They are shaped like lines or spear tips. These leaves lie flat against the stem or stick out just a little. When the leaves are new or wet, they are green.
How It Reproduces
This spikemoss has special cone-like structures called strobili. These strobili are yellow and are found at the base of the leaves. They are quite small, only about 4 to 5 millimeters long. Strobili contain the spores that help the plant reproduce.
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