What is Selaginella uncinata? This introduction will help you get to know it

Other names for Selaginella uncinata

Dragon whiskers, blue grass, blue ground cypress, green velvet grass, stretching-foot grass, rotten-skin snake

Morphological characteristics of Selaginella uncinata

Selaginella uncinata is a medium-sized creeping fern. The main stem creeps along the ground, about 1m long, with sparse branches. There are adventitious roots at the nodes, and the leaves are ovate, arranged sparsely in two rows. It forks multiple times. The vegetative leaves are of two types, each in two rows on the dorsal and ventral sides; the ventral leaves are long-ovate, and the dorsal leaves are oblong, entire, spreading flat to both sides. The strobili are four-angled, and the sporophylls are ovate-triangular, arranged in four rows in an imbricate pattern.

Growth habits of Selaginella uncinata

It grows on valley floors under forest at altitudes of 40-1000m, in humus-rich soil or among shaded, damp weeds by streams, as well as in rock caves, on wet stones, or in stone crevices. It prefers a warm, humid, semi-shaded environment. When growing it in pots, pay attention to the drainage of the potting soil and avoid prolonged direct sunlight.

Main values of Selaginella uncinata

Ornamental: Selaginella uncinata has fine, dense fronds and emits a sapphire-like luster, which is extraordinary. It can accent a desk or low table and is very lovely. Its plant form is unusual, its fronds resemble cloud patterns, it stays green through all four seasons, and it has a blue-green fluorescence. Elegant and beautiful, it is a small foliage plant, and potted specimens are suitable for display on desks, windowsills, and similar places.

Pot cover: Because the stems and branches of Selaginella uncinata are creeping, it is an ideal material for covering the surface of orchid pots.

Medicinal: Functions and indications: clears heat and drains dampness, stops bleeding, and relieves cough. Used for acute icteric infectious hepatitis, cholecystitis, enteritis, dysentery, nephritic edema, urinary tract infection, rheumatic joint pain, and hemoptysis from pulmonary tuberculosis; external use for boils, burns and scalds, external bleeding, and traumatic injuries.