Selaginella stellata Spring

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.

  • Family

    Selaginellaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Selaginella stellata Spring

  • Description

    Species Description - Stems erect to suberect, stramineous, 3 mm diam., articulate, not flagelliform, not stoloniferous, 2–3 times branched; rhizophores borne in proximal third of stems, straight, ca. 0.4–0.5 mm diam.; leaves of two kinds (anisophyllous) throughout stem length; lateral leaves ovate to oblong-ovate, to 4.5 mm long on main stems, 3–4 mm long on branches, bases rounded, with a few long cilia at bases, margins otherwise entire, apices acute; median leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, bases subequally auriculate, with a few cilia on the auricles, margins denticulate to entire; axillary leaves linear-oblong, slightly auriculate, with 1 or 2 hairs on each auricle; strobili quadrangular, 0.5–2.2 cm long; sporophylls monomorphic; megasporangia single at base of strobili; microsporangia in most of strobilus; megaspores white or light brown, with high, white reticulum, ca. 350 µm diam.; microspores cream to pale beige, with closely set spines.

  • Discussion

    Type. Mexico. Schiede s.n. (B).

    Selaginella galeottii Spring, Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 10(1): 230.1843. Lectotype (chosen by Alston, 1955: 258). Mexico. Veracruz: Jalapa, Mirador, Galeotti 6606 (LG!; isolectotypes BR!, photo B!, K!, P, photo P!, photo BM); the other syntype is from Bolivia, d’Orbigny s.n. and is S. diffusa (C. Presl) Spring.

    See S. silvestris for a comparison

  • Distribution

    Terrestrial in montane rain forests; 300–2200 m. Mexico; Guat, Bel, Hond, CR, Pan.

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