Hidden Spikemoss: A Mysterious Ancient Plant for Your Garden
Meet hidden spikemoss (Selaginella eclipes), one of nature’s most intriguing and ancient plants. Despite its common name suggesting it’s a moss, this little green wonder is actually a spikemoss – a fascinating group of plants that have been around for hundreds of millions of years, long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth!
What Exactly Is Hidden Spikemoss?
Hidden spikemoss belongs to an ancient group of plants called lycopods, making it more closely related to ferns than to true mosses. This perennial plant is classified as a forb – a vascular plant without significant woody tissue that keeps its growing points at or below ground level. Think of it as nature’s living fossil, offering us a glimpse into what ancient forests might have looked like.
Where Does Hidden Spikemoss Call Home?
This native North American species has quite an impressive range! You can find hidden spikemoss naturally growing across the eastern and central United States and into Canada. It thrives in states including Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin, plus Ontario and Quebec in Canada.
Identifying Hidden Spikemoss in the Wild
Spotting hidden spikemoss can be tricky – hence the hidden in its name! Here’s what to look for:
- Small, delicate appearance with a moss-like growth pattern
- Tiny, scale-like leaves arranged in neat rows
- Low-growing, creeping habit that hugs the ground
- Preference for moist, shaded locations
- Often found in woodland areas and along stream banks
Is Hidden Spikemoss Beneficial for Gardens?
Absolutely! While hidden spikemoss might not be the showiest plant in your garden, it offers several unique benefits:
- Living history: You’ll be growing a plant that represents hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history
- Erosion control: Its creeping growth helps stabilize soil in shaded, moist areas
- Low maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care
- Unique texture: Adds interesting textural contrast to woodland gardens
- Native plant value: Supports local ecosystems as a native species
Perfect Spots for Hidden Spikemoss
Hidden spikemoss has a wetland status of Facultative Wetland across all regions, meaning it usually occurs in wetlands but can adapt to drier conditions. This makes it perfect for:
- Woodland gardens with consistent moisture
- Shaded rock gardens
- Native plant landscapes
- Areas near water features or rain gardens
- Naturalistic groundcover in USDA hardiness zones 3-8
Growing Conditions and Care
Hidden spikemoss is wonderfully low-maintenance once you understand its preferences:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Moisture: Consistently moist but well-draining soil
- Soil: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil
- Temperature: Hardy in zones 3-8
- Maintenance: Very low – just ensure adequate moisture
A Word About Reproduction
Unlike flowering plants that attract pollinators, hidden spikemoss reproduces through spores, much like ferns. This ancient reproduction method means it won’t provide nectar for bees and butterflies, but it plays its own important role in the ecosystem as a native groundcover.
Should You Add Hidden Spikemoss to Your Garden?
If you’re creating a native plant garden, love unique and unusual plants, or want to add some prehistoric charm to your landscape, hidden spikemoss could be a fascinating addition. It’s particularly valuable for gardeners interested in:
- Supporting native plant diversity
- Creating authentic woodland settings
- Growing low-maintenance groundcovers
- Adding educational interest to their landscape
While it may be hidden by name, this ancient little plant can add a touch of primordial mystery to your garden that’s sure to spark conversations about the incredible diversity of plant life on our planet!
