Krauss’ spike moss
A plant that has existed since before the dinosaurs.
Krauss’ spike moss belongs to an ancient group of plants that appeared long before the dinosaurs began to roam the earth. In the Carboniferous period, 300 million years ago, ancient cousins of the Krauss’ spike moss dominated the large swampy forests, which have given rise to many of the present-day occurrences of coal deposits.
Today there are only approximately 700 surviving species of spike mosses and they are all small and herbaceous. The majority of them resemble Krauss’ spike moss and grow in humid tropical and subtropical forests. There are only one species in Denmark which is simply called Selaginella.
Krauss’ spike moss is a common houseplant.
Facts:
- Greenhouse location: The Mountain Forest House
- Danish name: Krauss' dværgulvefod
- Latin name: Selaginella kraussiana
- Family: Spike moss family / Selaginellaceae
- Natural habitat: Azores, Canary Islands and parts of Africa