Selaginella apoda
Selaginella eatonii
meadow spike-moss, sélaginelle apode
Eaton's spike-moss
prostrate to short-creeping, sparsely branched, branches mostly simple or 1-forked, flat, not articulate, glabrous.
short-creeping, unbranched or few-forked, flat, not articulate, glabrous.
delicate, papery.
delicate, papery.
paired or solitary, lax, flattened, 1–2 cm;
sporophylls ovate to ovate-deltate, strongly keeled, keel dentate, base slightly cordate to rounded, margins with scattered teeth, apex acuminate;
megasporophylls larger and wider than microsporophylls, usually on underside of strobili.
solitary, 2–3 mm;
sporophylls ovate-lanceolate, strongly keeled toward tip, keel dentate, base glabrous, margins serrate, apex long-acuminate.
axillary, throughout stem length or restricted to proximal 1/3 of stem, 0.05–0.1 mm diam.
axillary, 0.02–0.04 mm diam.
leaves distant, green, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 1.35–2.25 × 0.75–1.35 mm;
base slightly cordate;
margins green or with 1 row of transparent cells, serrate;
apex acute, ending in teeth.
leaves spreading, well spaced or crowded toward stem tip, green, ovate to ovate-oblong, 1–1.5 × 0.5–0.9 mm;
base rounded;
margins transparent, serrate;
apex acute.
leaves ovate-lanceolate, 1–1.6 × 0.45–0.7 mm;
base oblique on inner side, rounded and prominent on outer side;
margins green or with row of transparent cells, serrate;
apex straight, acuminate to long-acuminate.
leaves lanceolate, 0.8–1.2 × 0.3–0.35 mm;
base oblique;
margins transparent, serrate;
apex bristled;
bristle to 1/3 length of leaf.
Selaginella apoda
Selaginella eatonii
Selaginella apoda is the central component of a taxonomically difficult species complex of eastern North America. It is closely related to S. eclipes (see discussion) and S. ludoviciana. Naturally occurring and experimental hybrids between S. apoda and S. ludoviciana have been reported (P. Somers and W. R. Buck 1975; T. R. Webster 1990). Also, some evidence indicates that hybrids may occur between S. apoda and S. eclipes. More studies are needed in this complex.
The species in the S. apoda complex may be best classified under subg. Homostachys of J. G. Baker (1883, 1887), with which they share flattened strobili and larger sporophylls (megasporophylls) that are usually in the same plane as the vegetative lateral leaves. They are, however, treated here with the other heterophyllous species of subg. Stachygynandrum until a reassessment of the classification of the genus Selaginella can be made.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Selaginella eatonii is a minute species, easy to distinguish by its long-bristled leaf apex, iridescent leaf surface, and somewhat transparent sporophylls on the underside of the stem. It does not have any close relatives among the species in the flora. Selaginella eatonii may best be placed within subg. Heterostachys, with which it shares flattened strobili, keeled sporophylls, and a partial laminar flap on the sporophylls. Selaginella eatonii does not have strongly dimorphic sporophylls or a very well-defined laminar flap, and therefore I prefer to treat it here with the other heterophyllous species of subg. Stachygynandrum until a detailed study of subg. Heterostachys can be made.
Of conservation concern.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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