Selaginella asprella

Bluish spike-moss

Family: Selaginellaceae · Type: Spikemoss · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.3

Bluish spike-moss is a California native spikemoss found in the central Sierra Nevada, southern Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in exposed rocky spots and montane conifer woodland at elevations of 1,080 to 2,700 meters. Growing in loose green mats that age to a pale tan and eventually gray, this delicate plant forms fragile clusters with distinctive white-cast stems. Its small leaves are lanceolate, measuring 1.5 to 2.3 millimeters long, with sparse hairs at the base and distinctive wavy awns that extend from stem tips. The plant features tufted leaf tips with fine, ciliate awns that are often longer than the leaf width, creating an intricate and delicate appearance. Its compact cone structures range from 0.4 to 2.5 centimeters in length, adding to its unique botanical character.

Habitat: Exposed rocky spots, montane conifer woodland

Elevation: 1080-2700 m

Bioregions: c SNH, s SN, TR, PR

California counties: Tulare, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Fresno, Mariposa, Shasta, Butte

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.