Selaginella willdenowii (Desv. ex Poir.) Baker

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.

  • Family

    Selaginellaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Selaginella willdenowii (Desv. ex Poir.) Baker

  • Description

    Description - Clambering herb. 6-10 m in length. Stems brittle, with numerous secondary branches up to 50 cm long, these again branched into short branches with determinate growth, which attain 13 cm long and give the appearance of a 3-pinnate, triangular leaf. Primary and secondary branches greenish or with a reddish shade. Leaves oblong-ovate, imbricate and in two layers, the upper layer of leaves ca. 1 mm long, the lower layer of leaves 3-4 mm long, the apex obtuse, the base auriculate to subcordiform. sessile. Strobili 1.5-2 cm long, green, at the tips of the tertiary branches.

    Phenology - Collected in fertile condition in February.

    Conservation Status - Exotic, naturalized, uncommon.