What's the difference between Selaginella uncinata and Selaginella tamariscina? Learn to tell them apart easily

Selaginella uncinata is a herbaceous plant, and Selaginella tamariscina is also a herbaceous plant; it is also called the resurrection plant. Both not only have ornamental value but also medicinal value. Below we introduce the differences between Selaginella uncinata and Selaginella tamariscina.

Difference one: different species

Both Selaginella uncinata and Selaginella tamariscina are perennial herbaceous plants of the genus Selaginella in the family Selaginellaceae, but they are different varieties. Selaginella uncinata is a medium-sized creeping fern, with the main stem creeping along the ground,

Difference two: different roots and stems

Selaginella uncinata is a medium-sized creeping fern, with the main stem creeping along the ground; root supports arise only from the lower part of the main stem or are borne intermittently along the main stem, the roots are sparsely branched and hairy, the stem is cylindrical, grooved, hairless, with 5-8 pairs of lateral branches and 2-pinnate branching. Selaginella tamariscina is a soil-dwelling or rock-dwelling resurrection plant, forming a cushion shape; root supports arise only from the base of the stem, the roots are much branched and densely hairy, and together with the stem and branches densely form a tree-like trunk, the stem is ovoid-cylindrical, not grooved, smooth, with 2-5 pairs of lateral branches and 2-3-pinnate branching.

Difference three: different leaves

The leaf margins of Selaginella uncinata are entire; the leaves on the main stem are larger than those on the branches, green, and the axillary leaves on the branches are broadly elliptical or heart-shaped. The leaf margins of Selaginella tamariscina are not entire; the leaves on the main stem are slightly larger than those on the branchlets, green or brown, and the axillary leaves on the branches are ovate or elliptical.

Difference four: different distribution

Selaginella uncinata is distributed in Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Guangdong Hanmihradun, Guangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan and other provinces and regions; it grows in valley forests at an altitude of 40-1000m, in humus-rich soil or among shady, damp weeds by streams, as well as in rock caves, on wet stones or in rock crevices. Selaginella tamariscina is distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hunan, Shaanxi, Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang and other places; it mostly grows on sun-facing rocks on hillsides, or in dry rock crevices, commonly on limestone, at an altitude of (60-)500-1500(-2100) m.

Difference five: different medicinal effects

Selaginella uncinata is used medicinally as the whole plant, either fresh or sun-dried; it has the effects of clearing heat and draining dampness, stopping bleeding and relieving cough, and is used for acute icteric infectious hepatitis, cholecystitis, enteritis, dysentery, nephritic edema, urinary tract infection, rheumatic joint pain, and hemoptysis from pulmonary tuberculosis; externally it is used to treat boils, burns and scalds, traumatic bleeding, and bruises. Selaginella tamariscina is used medicinally as the dried whole plant; it has the effect of invigorating blood and unblocking menstruation, and is used for amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, abdominal masses and lumps, and falls and injuries.