Selaginella oregana
Oregon spike moss
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Family: Selaginellaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Selaginella oregana (Oregon spike moss) is a native California herb in the Selaginellaceae family, recognized by festooned growth form with long internodes and very long paired cones.
Oregon spike moss is a native spikemoss found in the North Coast, Klamath Ranges, and North Coast Ranges in humid conifer forests, on streambanks, and on rocks under trees at elevations below 800 meters. A distinctive plant that forms curly festoons and changes color from green to yellowish and eventually gray when dry, this spikemoss has delicate leaves that are 1.4 to 2.4 millimeters long with slightly toothed margins. Growing in flexible, intricate clusters, it develops thin stems with internodes longer than one centimeter and produces small cone-like structures often appearing in paired arrangements. Its leaves are lanceolate with narrow bases and feature a short, rigid awn of 0.1 to 0.4 millimeters. The plant thrives in shaded to open sites, creating intricate green networks across forest floors and rocky surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are festooned growth form with long internodes and very long paired cones
Habitat and range
Habitat: On, under trees on rocks, shaded to open sites, streambanks, humid conifer forest
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt
Outside California: west of Cascades to Washington
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 oregana native to California?
Yes. Selaginella oregana is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Selaginella oregana grow?
Selaginella oregana occurs in Del Norte, Humboldt, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Selaginella oregana belong to?
Selaginella oregana is in the Selaginellaceae family, genus Selaginella.
What habitat does Selaginella oregana grow in?
Selaginella oregana grows in On, under trees on rocks, shaded to open sites, streambanks, humid conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.