Oregon Spikemoss

Oregon Spikemoss (Selaginella oregana) is a fascinating, moss-like vascular plant that drapes the moist forests of the Pacific Northwest in lush, green curtains. Unlike true mosses, this unique lycophyte possesses a primitive vascular system to transport water and nutrients, making it an evolutionary bridge between lower plants and ferns. It thrives primarily as an epiphyte, hanging in soft, cascading mats from the branches of deciduous trees, particularly bigleaf maples, in humid coastal rainforests. In these misty habitats, Oregon Spikemoss plays a vital ecological role by intercepting rainfall, maintaining high local humidity, and providing microhabitats for canopy-dwelling invertebrates. Its ability to survive dry spells by entering a dormant state and quickly reviving with the rain highlights its remarkable resilience. Spotting this delicate, pendulous plant dangling from moss-draped branches is a quintessential experience of the Pacific Northwest wilderness.

Lebensraum: Found hanging from tree branches or carpeting wet rocks in the mossy, temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest.