Selaginella sibirica (Milde) Hieron.

Common Name and Taxonomy

Selaginella sibirica, commonly called the Siberian spikemoss, is a species of spikemoss.

Habitat and Distribution

It grows on dry or exposed rocks and ridges, with a range extending from Alaska to the northwestern part of the District of Mackenzie, and also occurs in northern Russia.

Leaf Morphology

Its leaves are linear, grooved on the back, 2.5 to 3 millimeters long when including the seta, and are usually truncate near the tip.

Sporophyll Characteristics

Its sporophylls are ovate to triangular, and shorter than the plant's leaves.

Species Distinction Trait

This species closely resembles Selaginella densa, but can be distinguished by its white setae; S. densa has yellow setae instead.

Geographic Variant Form

While all known North American specimens of Selaginella sibirica share the same typical traits, R.M. Tryon identified a variant form in Asia that has longer, orange-brown setae rather than the typical white setae.