The scientific name of Selaginella consists of a diminutive of Selagoterm used as an old denomination for numerous species of club moss, the smallest being usually confused with moss. But if you are interested in knowing more about this plant before encouraging you to plant it, we recommend you take a look at our post so that you can discover everything you need.
This plant is part of the family composed of the Selaginellawhich suppose a genus that stands out for having around 700 species that are found not only in tropical America and Australia, but also within southern Africa; although we can point out that in Spain there are a couple of natural species.
Selaginella characteristics
The Selaginella it is a creeping and annual plant that has crawling, flattened and covering stems, which can have a length of around 20cm, being sometimes branched or free of roots and leaves. Its roots can be divided or simple, filiform, and with a distance that does not exceed 1cm from the stem.
For its part, has ovate leaves whose tip is apiculate and sharpThey have a finely denticulated margin, being formed in a pair of both rows and floors; Its lower and lateral sides are usually larger and reach 3mm, while the upper or dorsal ones measure about 2mm.
Because of its unique characteristics, Selaginella needs special care, which includes certain classes not only of soils, but also of irrigation programs. We can also point out that externally, This plant usually looks quite similar to both moss and fern.
Care
This plant has the ability to develop without problem with all types of sun exposure, although it tends to prefer shady spaces, especially throughout the summer. During the winter it cannot be exposed to temperatures below 14-16 ° C and it must have good sun exposure.
They have a high need for humidity, although its risks should be moderate; so in case of being in environments with too hot climates it will be necessary to make sure to spray its leaves every day.
In case of keeping it indoors, it is usually convenient to increase the humidity that exists around it making sure that place it next to other plantsbecause this is a natural way to produce and provide a higher level of humidity. Alternatively, it is equally possible to sprinkle it with a little water or place it inside a tray of pebbles.
Likewise, humidifiers are presented as a great tool to increase the humidity level, but you must bear in mind that they will simultaneously increase the humidity inside the room and not only around the plant.
Plagues and diseases
The pests that most often affect Selaginella consist of mealybugs and mites; and it is possible to avoid the latter, making sure to provide the panta with a high level of humidity.
On the other hand, it is possible to avoid the presence of mealybugs making sure to decrease the frequency with which the fertilizer is applied, since This pest usually prefers soils that have a high percentage of nitrogen.
In case of perceiving any pest problem in Selaginella, it is recommended that you immediately make sure to spray it with a large amount of water in order to physically get rid of these pests and you should quickly apply some organic neem oil to it.
As we already pointed out, there are more than 700 species of this plantwhich develop natively within numerous regions globally. Although they tend to be mostly perennial plants, the truth is that depending on their variety, it is possible that they are creepers, climbers and even trailing plants; Some tend to grow in small mounds and others have a low dispersion so they are perfect as ground covers.
