Desert Spikemoss: A Prehistoric Ground Cover for Modern Gardens
Meet desert spikemoss (Selaginella eremophila), a fascinating little plant that’s been around since before dinosaurs roamed the Earth! Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t actually a moss at all, but rather a member of an ancient plant group called lycopods or clubmosses. Think of it as a living fossil that’s perfectly adapted to harsh desert conditions.
What Exactly Is Desert Spikemoss?
Desert spikemoss is a perennial forb – meaning it’s a vascular plant without woody stems that comes back year after year. Unlike true mosses, spikemosses have proper roots, stems, and leaves, plus they reproduce using spores rather than flowers. This particular species forms dense, cushion-like mats of tiny, scale-like leaves that create an almost prehistoric carpet across the landscape.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
This hardy little survivor is native to the southwestern United States, specifically thriving in the desert regions of Arizona and California. It’s perfectly at home in some of the harshest environments in North America, from rocky outcrops to sandy washes.
Why Desert Spikemoss Might Be Perfect for Your Garden
If you’re looking for a unique ground cover that laughs in the face of drought, desert spikemoss could be your new best friend. Here’s what makes it special:
- Extremely drought tolerant once established
- Forms attractive, dense mats that suppress weeds
- Changes color seasonally from green to bronze-red, adding visual interest
- Requires virtually no maintenance
- Perfect for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens
- Thrives in USDA zones 8-11
Identifying Desert Spikemoss
Spotting desert spikemoss is easier than you might think. Look for these key features:
- Dense, low-growing mats rarely exceeding a few inches tall
- Tiny, overlapping scale-like leaves arranged in four rows
- Color that shifts from bright green in moist conditions to bronze or reddish-brown when dry
- Small, cone-like structures (strobili) that contain spores
- Grows in rocky or sandy soils in desert environments
Garden Benefits and Landscape Role
While desert spikemoss won’t attract butterflies like flowering plants do (since it reproduces via spores, not flowers), it offers other valuable benefits to your garden ecosystem. Its dense mat-forming habit provides shelter for small desert creatures and helps prevent soil erosion. It’s also an excellent choice for creating textural contrast in rock gardens or as a living mulch around other drought-tolerant plants.
Growing Conditions and Care
The beauty of desert spikemoss lies in its simplicity. This plant thrives on neglect! It prefers:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-draining, sandy or rocky soil
- Minimal water once established
- Good air circulation
The biggest mistake you can make with desert spikemoss is overwatering. This plant is built for drought and will quickly rot if kept too moist. Think desert conditions and you’ll be on the right track.
Is Desert Spikemoss Right for Your Garden?
Desert spikemoss is ideal for gardeners in warm, dry climates who want a unique, low-maintenance ground cover. It’s perfect for xeriscapes, rock gardens, or anywhere you want to add prehistoric charm to your landscape. However, it’s not the best choice for humid climates or areas with poor drainage.
As a native plant, growing desert spikemoss supports local ecosystems while creating a truly distinctive garden feature. Just remember – this ancient survivor prefers to be left alone to do what it does best: thrive in conditions that would challenge most other plants!
