Rockloving Spikemoss: A Tiny Desert Survivor for Your Rock Garden
Meet the rockloving spikemoss (Selaginella rupincola), a fascinating little plant that’s neither moss nor fern, but something wonderfully unique. This diminutive native belongs to an ancient group of plants called lycophytes, making it a living link to prehistoric times when giant versions of these plants dominated primeval forests.
What Exactly Is Rockloving Spikemoss?
Don’t let the name fool you – spikemosses aren’t true mosses at all! They’re actually more closely related to ferns and clubmosses. Selaginella rupincola is a perennial that forms small, dense cushions or mats with tiny, scale-like leaves that overlap like shingles on a roof. The plant typically stays quite small, rarely exceeding a few inches in height, but can spread to form charming little colonies in the right conditions.
This little survivor reproduces through spores rather than seeds, and you might notice tiny, cone-like structures (called strobili) at the tips of its branches – these are where the magic happens!
Where Does It Call Home?
Rockloving spikemoss is a proud native of the American Southwest, naturally occurring in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. True to its name, it’s typically found nestled in rock crevices, on cliff faces, and in other rocky habitats where it can tuck itself away from harsh desert conditions.
Is It Beneficial in Your Garden?
Absolutely! Here’s why rockloving spikemoss can be a delightful addition to the right garden:
- Water-wise wonder: Once established, it requires minimal irrigation – perfect for drought-tolerant landscapes
- Rock garden star: It naturally thrives in rocky crevices, making it ideal for rock gardens and alpine-style plantings
- Low maintenance: This tough little plant pretty much takes care of itself
- Unique texture: Adds interesting fine texture and year-round green color to desert and rock garden designs
- Native benefits: Supports local ecosystem health as a native species
Perfect Garden Spots for Spikemoss
Rockloving spikemoss shines in specific garden settings. It’s particularly well-suited for:
- Rock gardens and crevice gardens
- Desert and xeriscape designs
- Alpine-style plantings
- Natural stone walls and rockwork
- Areas with excellent drainage
Growing Conditions and Care
This spikemoss thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 and prefers conditions that mimic its natural rocky habitat:
- Soil: Well-draining, rocky, or sandy soil is essential
- Light: Partial shade to full sun
- Water: Drought tolerant once established; avoid overwatering
- Drainage: Excellent drainage is absolutely critical – soggy soil will kill it
How to Identify Rockloving Spikemoss
Look for these key characteristics:
- Tiny, overlapping scale-like leaves arranged in four rows
- Dense, cushion-like or mat-forming growth habit
- Bright to dark green coloration
- Small size (typically just a few inches tall)
- Preference for rocky, well-drained locations
- Tiny cone-like structures (strobili) at branch tips during reproductive season
A Word of Caution
While rockloving spikemoss can be a wonderful addition to appropriate gardens, it’s not for everyone. This plant definitely needs excellent drainage and can be challenging to establish outside its preferred rocky habitats. If you’re looking for a lush, traditional ground cover, this probably isn’t your plant. But if you’re creating a rock garden or desert-style landscape and want something truly unique and native, rockloving spikemoss might be just the conversation starter your garden needs!
Remember, this ancient little plant has been surviving in harsh conditions for millions of years – with the right spot in your garden, it can bring that same resilient beauty to your landscape.
