Selaginella arbuscula
Genus
Selaginella
Species
arbuscula
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Lelelepeamoa
- Lepelepe a moa
Hawaiian Names
- Lelelepeamoa
- Lepelepe a moa
Common Names
- Branched spikemoss
- Dwarf spikemoss
Synonyms
- Lycopodium arbuscula
- Lycopodium arbusculum
- Lycopodium menziesii
- Lycopodium pennigerum
- Selaginella bishopiana
- Selaginella browneana
- Selaginella flabellata
- Selaginella jonesii
- Selaginella menziesii
- Selaginella parvula
- Selaginella springii
Did You Know…?
The Hawaiian name of this spikemoss is Lepelepe a moa, which means "comb like that of a chicken." The plants do indeed have some resemblance to a chicken's comb.
Distribution Status
Indigenous
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Non-Woody, Spreading
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Fern/Fern-like, Short, Less than 1
- Fern/Fern-like, Medium, 1 to 3
Mature Size, Width
Lelelepe a moa can spread to 4 more feet per plant but often grow together forming a loose to dense mat of green.
Life Span
No data available.
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Container
- Ground Cover
- Hanging Basket
Additional Landscape Use Information
This beautiful and unique "fern-like" plant is a wonderful addition for shaded areas in moderately to very wet landscapes.
Plant Produces Flowers
No
Plant texture
- Fine
Additional Plant Texture Information
The flat to firm leaves spread laterally.
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
- Medium Green
Pruning Information
Dead material may be removed for a cleaner appearance.
Water Requirements
- Moist
- Wet
Light Conditions
- Shade
Additional Lighting Information
Lelelepe a moa does best in shaded or bright locations.
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 150 to 1000, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 2000 to 2999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 3000 to 3999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 3000 to 3999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Habitat
- Epiphyte
- Lithophyte
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
Lelelepe a moa (Selaginella arbuscula) is commonly found in shaded soil, rocks (a lithophyte), and cliffs in mesic to wet areas from over 325 to about 3935 feet on all the main islands except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe.
Once thought to be an endemic Hawaiian species, Selaginella arbuscula has a greater distribution, occurring in the Society Islands, Ualan, Santa Cruz Island (Vanikoro), and the Marquesas Islands (Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka, Ua Pou, Hiva ʻOa, Tahuata, and Fatu Hiva). [3]
Selaginella arbuscula rarely grows as an epiphyte. [1]
Special Features and Information
General Information
The genus Selaginella belongs to the Spikemoss family (Selaginellaceae)--a family of over 500, perhaps up to 700, species worldwide. There is one endemic species in the Hawaiian Islands, Selaginella delfexa, found on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island. [3]
Additionally, three other species are not native and have become naturalized with two of them localized in the ʻAkaka Falls State Park on Hawaiʻi Island.
Etymology
The generic name Selaginella is from the Latin selago, an ancient name for some species of Lycopodium, or club mosses.
The specific epithet arbuscula is from the Latin meaning "diminutive tree," alluding to the plant resembling a small tree or bush.
Hawaiian Name:
Lepelepe a moa means "comb like that of a chicken." The plants do indeed have some resemblance to a chicken's comb.
Background Information
Lelelepe a moa is very easy to grow and readily spreads to new areas by gently rubbing the leaves over a planting area. The fallen material will form roots if kept moist. [Aileen Yeh, Aileen Yeh Nursery]
A popular spikemoss relative, mostly regarded as a novelty, is the Rose of Jericho or Resurrection plant (Selaginella lepidophylla). A native of the Chihuahuan Desert (Mexico, USA), this amazing plant can survive extremely dry conditions by shriveling to a ball of what appears to be dead brown plant material. Water revives, or resurrects, the plant once again to lush greenery. An amazing design for survival in a harsh environment! A video of this plant can be viewed at the Wikipedia site for this species. [2]
Modern Use
Lelelepe a moa are used with roses in lei work. [1]
Additional References
[1] "Ferns of Hawaiʻi" by Kathy Valier, page 22.
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selaginella_lepidophylla [Accessed on 4/8/11]
[3] "Current Status of Ferns and Lycophytes" by Amanda L. Vernon & Tom A. Ranker, page 90.
PHOTOS FOR THIS SPECIES CAN BE SEEN AT THE LINK (Copy & Paste to your browser):
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=50823119%40N08&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=Selaginella%20arbuscula
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This record is as complete as we can generate for this plant profile at this point. Please email nativeplantshawaii@gmail.com if you wish to contribute to the data. Please include sources and references for all data submitted