Mojave Spikemoss: The Tiny Desert Survivor That’s Older Than Dinosaurs
Meet Mojave spikemoss (Selaginella leucobryoides), a fascinating little plant that’s been around since before flowering plants even existed! Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t actually a moss at all. It’s what botanists call a lycopod or club moss, making it more closely related to ferns than to true mosses. Think of it as a living fossil that’s perfectly adapted to life in some of America’s toughest desert environments.
What Exactly Is Mojave Spikemoss?
Mojave spikemoss is a perennial plant that looks remarkably like moss but belongs to an ancient group of plants called lycopods. These plants reproduce using spores rather than seeds, and they’ve been perfecting their survival strategies for over 400 million years. This particular species creates dense, low-growing mats of tiny, scale-like leaves that hug the ground and rock surfaces.
While it’s technically classified as a forb (a non-woody vascular plant), its moss-like appearance often confuses even experienced gardeners. The plant forms compact, cushion-like colonies that can spread slowly across suitable terrain.
Where to Find This Desert Gem
This native beauty calls the southwestern United States home, specifically thriving in Arizona, California, and Nevada. You’ll typically find it tucked into rocky crevices and desert slopes in the Mojave Desert region, where it has mastered the art of surviving in one of North America’s most challenging environments.
Why You Might Want This Ancient Wonder in Your Garden
Before we dive into the benefits, there’s something important you need to know: Mojave spikemoss has a Global Conservation Status of S3, meaning it’s considered vulnerable. This little survivor is rare and local throughout its range, so if you’re interested in adding it to your landscape, you’ll need to source it responsibly from reputable native plant nurseries – never collect from the wild!
Here’s why this prehistoric plant might be perfect for your garden:
- Ultimate drought tolerance: Once established, it requires virtually no supplemental watering
- Unique texture: Adds an interesting moss-like groundcover element to rock gardens
- Low maintenance: Thrives on neglect once properly situated
- Educational value: A living piece of plant evolution history
- Native credentials: Supports local ecosystem biodiversity
Perfect Garden Situations
Mojave spikemoss isn’t for every garden, but it shines in specific situations:
- Rock gardens: Excellent for tucking into crevices and between stones
- Xerophytic landscapes: Perfect companion for other desert natives
- Slopes and banks: Helps prevent erosion while requiring minimal care
- Native plant gardens: Adds authentic desert character
- Educational gardens: Great for demonstrating plant evolution
Growing Conditions and Care
Success with Mojave spikemoss comes down to mimicking its natural desert habitat:
- Drainage is king: Absolutely requires well-draining, rocky, or sandy soil
- Sun preferences: Thrives in full sun to partial shade
- Water needs: Drought-tolerant once established; overwatering is often fatal
- Climate zones: Best suited for USDA hardiness zones 8-10
- Soil type: Rocky, gravelly, or sandy soils with excellent drainage
How to Identify Mojave Spikemoss
Spotting this little survivor requires knowing what to look for:
- Dense, cushion-like mats of tiny, scale-like leaves
- Bright green color that may turn bronze during dry periods
- Low-growing habit, rarely exceeding a few inches in height
- Grows in rocky areas, crevices, and on slopes
- May produce small, cone-like structures (strobili) containing spores
Is It Right for Your Garden?
Mojave spikemoss is definitely a specialty plant that won’t work in every situation. It’s perfect if you’re creating a desert or rock garden, live in an appropriate climate zone, and can provide the specific conditions it needs. However, if you’re looking for a traditional groundcover for moist, shaded areas, this isn’t your plant.
Remember, due to its vulnerable conservation status, only obtain Mojave spikemoss from reputable nurseries that propagate it responsibly. By choosing to grow this ancient survivor, you’re not just adding a unique element to your landscape – you’re also supporting the conservation of a remarkable piece of our planet’s botanical heritage.
Whether you’re a plant collector fascinated by evolutionary history or a desert gardener looking for the ultimate low-maintenance groundcover, Mojave spikemoss offers a glimpse into the incredible adaptability and resilience of the plant kingdom.
