Selaginella - Selaginellaceae

Selaginella squarrosa Baker

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Common name

Description

Plants widely creeping, 3-4 pinnate, ovate or oblong in outline; rhizophores more than 12 cm long, glabrous, straw coloured to greenish, angled 30-60°. Leaves stiff, heteromorphic; lateral leaves overlapping, base unequal, entire, 5 × 1.5 mm, margins with 1-4 rows of elongated cells, costa ending well before the apex, glabrous on the undersurface; axillary leaves ovate-lanceolate, almost as long as the laterale leave; median leaves ovate-lanceolate, apex with a bristle like point longer than the lamina, margins entire, with two rows of allongated cells. Strobili solitary situated at the apex of the ultimate branches, 6 x 2.75 mm, sporophylls of two types; dorsal lanceolate, slightly falciform, green, apex rounded or toothed, margin entire; ventral hyaline, ovate, apex tapering to a point, margin entire or subentire.

Notes

Derivation

Habitat

Moist forest, 1500-1800m.

Distribution worldwide

See African distribution.

Distribution in Africa

Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (incl. Bioko).

Growth form

Terrestrial.

Literature

  • Roux, J.P. (2009) Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Strelitzia 23, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Page 28.
  • Tardieu-Blot, M.-L. (1964) Ptéridophytes vol.3.Flore du Cameroun, Pages 34 - 35.
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