Selaginella kraussiana
(Kunze) A.Braun Garden SelaginellaPlants perennial, forming a loosely wefted, soft green mat. Rhizophores at junction of main stem and lateral branches. Main stem prostrate, branched and creeping, with leaves sparser than on lateral branches. Lateral branches short, more or less erect, repeatedly divided, leafy throughout. Leaves in 4 rows, membranous, minutely serrate, dark green; those of the lower surface of stem spreading, appearing distichous, ovate, 2–4 mm long, asymmetric at base, apex acute; those of the upper surface appressed to stem, narrow, 1–2 mm long, apex acuminate. Strobili arising laterally, well-defined, narrow, 4-sided, 5–15 mm long. Sporophylls tightly overlapping; bases broad; apex pointed. Sporangia globose; one megasporangium at base of strobilus, all others microsporangia.
VVP, GipP, EGU, HSF, OtR, Strz, VAlp. Also naturalised in SA, Qld, NSW. Native to Africa, Azores, Madeira, Sicily. This garden escape has become well established in temperate regions throughout the world. In Victoria, it is most common near creeks and swamps in the Dandenong Ranges, the Gembrook-Beenak area and the Mornington Peninsula.
Entwisle, T.J. (1994). Ferns and allied plants (Psilophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Polypodiophyta). In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 13–111. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
