Selaginella kraussiana
Krauss' spikemoss
(c) Nicola van Berkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Nicola van Berkel · licence
Family: Selaginellaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Selaginella kraussiana (Krauss' spikemoss) is a non-native California herb in the Selaginellaceae family, recognized by prominent rhizophores, articulated stems, and 4-ranked leaves.
Krauss' spikemoss is a naturalized spikemoss found in the northern California Coast bioregion near Arcata in Humboldt County, growing in moist forest understories and along paths at elevations from sea level to 50 meters. This distinctive plant forms a sprawling, loose green mat with stems elevated on prominent rhizophores and subtle swellings at branching points. Growing with delicate, intricate structure, its leaves are arranged in four distinct ranks, with lateral leaves positioned nearly perpendicular to the stem. Its compact form creates a distinctive ground cover, with branches spreading to create a soft, textured carpet across forest floors. Small solitary cones appear laterally on branches, ranging from 2 to 25 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are prominent rhizophores, articulated stems, and 4-ranked leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist forest understories, along paths
Elevation: 0-50 m
Outside California: southeastern United States, Hawaii, native to southern and eastern Africa, introduced widely, a problematic invasive in New Zealand
How to tell it apart
vs Cardionema: Selaginella has overlapping scales spiraling up the stem; Cardionema has paired leaves at intervals.; vs Lycopodium: Selaginella stems feel soft and flexible; Lycopodium stems are firmer and the leaves radiate out in all directions.; vs Polytrichum: Selaginella has square-sided cones and scales; moss capsules sit atop hairlike stalks.; vs Galium: Selaginella has tiny overlapping scales; Galium has narrow leaves in distinct whorls around square stems.; vs Brachythecium: Selaginella has square cones and spiraling scales; moss shoots are feathery with capsules on stalks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Selaginella kraussiana native to California?
No. Selaginella kraussiana is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Selaginella kraussiana belong to?
Selaginella kraussiana is in the Selaginellaceae family, genus Selaginella.
What habitat does Selaginella kraussiana grow in?
Selaginella kraussiana grows in Moist forest understories, along paths.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.