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Selaginella plana (Desv.) Hieron.
| Family Name: | Selaginellaceae |
| Synonyms: | Lycopodium planum Desv. |
| Common Name: | Asian Spikemoss, Cyperus Clubmoss, Paka Merak |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Ferns & Lycophytes (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) (Clubmoss & Spikemoss) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Malesia to Solomon Islands |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Cryptogenic |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous erect shrub, up to 0.6m height when grown in ground. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Spreads by underground creeping rhizomes. |
| Foliage | Fronds green, scaly and tripinnate. |
| Stems | Long wiry branching stems, imparting fluffy appearance to plant. |
| Cultivation | Ideal as bushy groundcover with added height in landscape. Also suitable in terrariums. Requires high humidity and constantly moist soils. Prefers semi-shady conditions, but able to tolerate full sun if provided with lots of water. Propagate by division, stem cuttings or spores. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet Selaginella is derived from the Latin word selago, which means clubmoss. Species epithet plana means "flat", a reference to the flat plane of the fronds. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Terrarium, Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
| Thematic Landscaping | Bioswales / Sunken Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Occasional Misting |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Acidic (low pH) Soils, Easy to Grow, Disease / Pest Resistant, Moist Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Scaly |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Tripinnate) |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 281 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1577 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
