Plant
Arizona Spike-moss
Selaginella arizonicaAlso known as Arizona Spikemoss
Arizona spike-moss thrives in arid desert canyons, clinging tightly to exposed rock crevices, sandstone ledges, and gravelly slopes. During severe dry spells, its delicate scale-like fronds curl into tight, brownish mats to minimize water loss, reviving within hours of rainfall into a vivid green carpet. As an ancient lycophyte, it reproduces via spores rather than seeds or flowers, representing a lineage that pre-dates modern flowering plants.
DesertsResurrection PlantSpore-bearing
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic
Predators
- Desert insects
- Small herbivorous mammals
ThreatsProlonged drought, habitat alteration, foot traffic on rock outcrops
HabitatsDesert rock crevices, sandstone, limestone, igneous rock
Life spanPerennial
Classification
- FamilySelaginellaceae
- SpeciesSelaginella arizonica
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Rain Observations: Visit rocky slopes shortly after desert rains to see brown mats unfurl into lush green.
- Tread Lightly: Watch your step near desert rock crevices, as slow-growing mats take years to establish.
Close Relative Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Ditte Grube Barild, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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