Bluish Spike-moss [Selaginella asprella Maxon.]
Listing CNPS List 4 R-E-D Code 1-1-2
State/Federal. Status -- None SELAGINELLACEAE July
Global Rank G4G5 State Rank S3S4
Distribution: San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Kern County, Riverside County, Tulare County; Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: This spike moss grows in granitic rock in coniferous forests and Pinyon Juniper Woodland.
Known Sites: Bluish Mossfern was found growing in small exposed rocky outcrops amid junipers west of Banner. Herbarium specimens were examined from Corte Madera, Desert View in the Laguna Mountains, and the northeastern corner of the Lucky Five Ranch in a canyon east of the headwaters of the Sweetwater River; also at Ontario Peak in the San Gabriel Mountains of San Bernardino County. A widespread population was observed in Riverside County just south of Morongo Valley near Dry Morongo Wash. In Kern County this species was found in a xeric locale, near scattered Quercus douglasii, growing in granitic crevices.
Six voucher specimens from Baja California are found in the herbarium of the San Diego Natural History Museum; south to 30 59' North where collected by Moran (SD 100273) on the summit of Picacho del Diablo.
Status: Bluish Mossfern is presumed stable in Southern California, given the limited development in the montane/desert areas where it has been collected.
Copyright © May 1994 Craig H. Reiser.