Lesser Spikemoss: The Tiny Ancient Wonder That’s Actually Not a Moss
Meet lesser spikemoss (Selaginella densa var. densa) – a fascinating little plant that’s been fooling people with its name for ages! Despite what its common name suggests, this charming ground-hugger isn’t actually a moss at all. It’s a spikemoss, which belongs to an ancient group of plants called lycopods that have been around since before dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
What Exactly Is Lesser Spikemoss?
Lesser spikemoss is a perennial plant that forms dense, carpet-like mats across the ground. This native North American species is classified as a forb – meaning it’s a vascular plant without woody stems, but unlike true mosses, it has a proper vascular system for transporting water and nutrients. Think of it as moss’s more sophisticated cousin!
You might also see it listed under its botanical synonym, Selaginella engelmannii, but regardless of what you call it, this little survivor has some serious staying power.
Where Does Lesser Spikemoss Call Home?
This hardy native spreads across an impressive range of North American landscapes. You’ll find lesser spikemoss naturally occurring throughout much of western and central Canada and the United States, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and extending south through states like Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
Is Lesser Spikemoss Good for Your Garden?
If you’re dealing with challenging growing conditions, lesser spikemoss might just become your new best friend! Here’s why this little plant could be a fantastic addition to your landscape:
- Drought superstar: Once established, it thrives with minimal water
- Ground cover champion: Creates dense mats that help prevent soil erosion
- Low maintenance: Requires virtually no care once settled in
- Native appeal: Supports local ecosystems and requires no special amendments
- Rock garden perfect: Fills cracks and crevices beautifully
Lesser spikemoss works wonderfully in xeriscaped gardens, rock gardens, and any spot where you need a tough, low-growing ground cover that won’t demand constant attention.
How to Spot Lesser Spikemoss in the Wild
Identifying lesser spikemoss is easier than you might think once you know what to look for:
- Growth pattern: Forms tight, cushion-like mats close to the ground
- Leaves: Tiny, scale-like leaves that overlap like shingles
- Color: Typically bright green, but can turn bronze or reddish in dry conditions
- Texture: Dense and carpet-like, softer than you’d expect
- Size: Individual plants are small, but colonies can spread several feet across
Growing Conditions That Make Lesser Spikemoss Happy
The beauty of lesser spikemoss lies in its adaptability to tough conditions. This plant actually prefers:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-draining, sandy or rocky soil (poor soil is perfectly fine!)
- Water: Minimal once established – overwatering is more likely to harm it than drought
- Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 3-8
A Living Link to Ancient Times
Here’s something pretty cool to impress your gardening friends: lesser spikemoss belongs to one of the oldest groups of vascular plants on Earth. These lycopods were dominant during the Carboniferous period, about 300 million years ago, when they grew as tall as trees! Today’s spikemosses are much smaller, but they’re still carrying on an incredibly ancient lineage right in your backyard.
While lesser spikemoss won’t provide nectar for pollinators (it reproduces through spores, not flowers), it does offer habitat for small creatures and adds an interesting textural element that connects your garden to deep natural history.
So next time you see this unassuming little plant carpeting a rocky slope or filling in the gaps in a stone wall, take a moment to appreciate this tough, ancient survivor that’s been quietly doing its thing for millions of years!
