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Selaginella - Spike Mosses (morphology (more abundant in the tropic as…
Selaginella - Spike Mosses
morphology
more abundant in the tropic as epiphytes
several genera that become extinct about 270 million years ago
Selaginella is the major genera of club mosses (lycophyta)
in all the species the leaves on their adaxial surface bear a membranous outgrowth - the ligule
not true mosses because have vascular tissue
phenotype
seedles vascular plants
have tiny scalelike leaves - microphylls
their leaves have a tiny extra appendage - ligule
sporangium in strobilus
stem shows dichotomous branching
habits and habitats
mostly they are herbaceous perennials however, a few are annuals (S. pygmaea)
wetter areas
most of species of selaginella grow on the ground in humid, shady habitats. A few species are xerophytic and grow in arid condition on exposed rock surface (S. lepidophylla). They have the ability to survive desiccation
economical value
example : in Sabah, the Murut people use S. plana against fever by bathing in a decoction
example : in traditional Chinese medicine S. tamariscina is used in therapy of advanced cancer
in general, selaginella species are used as food, medicinally or handicrafts and as ornamentals
gametophyte