top of page
Selaginella uncinata
(Desv.) Spring
Blue Spikemoss
Selaginellaceae
Selaginella uncinata is a species of lycopod in the family Selaginellaceae. It is native to southeastern China, and is widely cultivated elsewhere.
Description
Selaginella uncinata is an evergreen plant that spreads about 50 to 100 cm. The leaves have smooth margins that are paler than the rest of the leaf blades. On the branches, they are broadly elliptical to subcordate and closely layered together, around 2.5 mm long and 1.5 mm wide. On the main stems they are larger—4 mm long, 3 mm wide—and sparser. Leaves on the top of the stem are tiny, asymmetric and ovate, and are about 1.7 mm long. Any leaves on the bottom of the stem are similar but slightly larger. Near the tips of the branches, the strobili are small (Wu et al. 2013).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
This plant is often cultivated because of its attractive iridescent leaves (Wu et al. 2013). It grows in USDA zones 6 to 10 (Harrison 2006). This plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The dried plant is used to stop bleeding, detoxification, clearing heat, and allowing for dampness (Zhou et al. 2011).
Distribution
This plant is found at an altitude of below 100 to 1200 meters in moist soils near the forest floor, or underneath shrubs and close to rivers. It has been found in the Chinese provinces of Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang, and Taiwan (Wu et al. 2013). Additionally, it is cultivated as a groundcover, and has escaped locally in the southeastern United States (Kartesz 2015).
Status
References
Harrison, M. 2006. Groundcovers for the South. Sarasota, FL: Pineapple Press.
Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. (http://bonap.net/napa). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)].
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Zhou, J., Xie, G., and Yan, X. 2011. Encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicines molecular structures, pharmacological activities, natural sources and applications. Vol. 5, Isolated compounds T-Z. Berlin: Springer.
Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. (http://bonap.net/napa). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)].
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Zhou, J., Xie, G., and Yan, X. 2011. Encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicines molecular structures, pharmacological activities, natural sources and applications. Vol. 5, Isolated compounds T-Z. Berlin: Springer.
Description
bottom of page