Selaginella cinerascens A.A.Eaton
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Authority
Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.
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Family
Selaginellaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Stems forming compact, cushion-like mats, creeping, not readily fragmenting, slightly dorsiventral, irregularly branched, without bud-like arrested branches, tips straight, main stems ascending, 0.3–0.4 mm diam., not articulate, not flagelliform, not stoloniferous, 1–2 times branched; rhizophores borne throughout stem length, 0.2–0.3 mm diam.; leaves of one kind (isophyllous) throughout stem length, loosely appressed, dull to grayish green, linear to linear-lanceolate (1–)2.5–3 x (0.3–)0.4–0.6 mm (leaves on secondary and tertiary branches smaller), bases rounded and adnate or cuneate and slightly decurrent, glabrous, seldom pubescent, margins denticulate to very shortly ciliate, teeth or cilia hyaline, scattered, acute to slightly acuminate; strobili quadrangular, 2–6 mm long; sporophylls monomorphic; megasporangia few in two ventral rows; microsporangia on two dorsal rows and scattered on ventral rows; megaspores yellow, reticulate, 320–340 µm diam.; microspores orange.
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Discussion
Bryodesma cinerascens (A. A. Eaton) Soja´k, Preslia 64: 154. 1992. Type. U.S.A. California: National City (San Diego), Kimball s.n. (GH; isotype NY!).
The light brown and grayish mats, short lateral branches, narrow stems, and short strobili distinguish S. cinerascens from all other species in the flora. Selaginella cinerascens is without close relatives in Mexico; R. Tyron (1955) related S. cinerascens to S. arsenei, and it also closely resembles S. nivea Alston from Madagascar.
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Distribution
Terrestrial in dry open places, rocky hilltops, clayey-sandy soil, or in shade under shrubs and trees; 0–350 m. USA; Mexico.
Mexico North America| United States of America North America|