Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Lycopodiophyta
Class: Selaginellopsida
Order: Selaginellales
Family: Selaginellaceae Genus: Selaginella
Species: S. kraussiana
Binomial name: Selaginella kraussiana
Common names: African Clubmoss,Krauss's spikemoss, Spikey African Clubmoss,
Selaginella kraussiana is found naturally in the Canary Islands, the Azores and many parts of mainland Africa. S. kraussiana is listed on the New Zealand National Pest Plant Accord as an invasive species. It is common in many parts of New Zealand where it forms extensive dense carpets in damp shaded sites. Found growing on damp forest floors, stream banks, gardens, nurseries, shade houses and ferneries. In forests it smothers native seedlings, opening up the area to other weeds such as vines.
Though reproducing by spore it also is spread by fragments of the stems being carried by livestock, tramping boots and machinery. Spores are borne on stalkless, rounded cones up to 1 cm long, laterally placed on the stems.
It has sterile leaves of two sizes. The two lateral rows have spreading oval leaves, 3-4 mm long, with pointed tips. The two upper rows have leaves that are 2-3 mm long flattened against the stems and with tapering tips.
Selaginella kraussiana stems are creeping, irregularly-branched, rooting at the nodes, forming a loose mat. Its roots form long fine aerial roots from the nodes.
Photos below of Seginella kraussiana, illustrating a greener colouration when grown in brighter light conditions.
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
