Selaginella - Selaginellaceae

Selaginella thomensis Alston

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Common name

Description

Plants suberect, ovate in outline, tripinnate; rhizophores robust, up to 3 cm long, glabrous, pale green, abruptly deflected. Leaves heteromorphic; lateral leaves unequal, base rounded, apex pointed, margin toothed, 2.5 × 1.5 mm; axillary leaves ovate, 2.5 mm long; median leaves oblong-elliptic, margins toothed, shortly mucronate. Strobili solitary, situated at the apex of the branches, 3 x 2 mm long, sporophylls of two types; dorsal green, deltoid-oblong, apex slightly tapering to a point, margin minutely toothed, keeled; ventral hyalin, oval, apex pointed, margin minutely pointed.

Notes

Derivation

Habitat

On wet rocks.

Distribution worldwide

See African distribution.

Distribution in Africa

Cameroon, Nigeria, Sierra Leone.

Growth form

Lithophytic.

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 40 - 41.
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