Selaginella - Classification, Characteristics, and Life Cycle
Selaginella is the only genus in the Selaginellaceae family of spikemosses, also known as lesser clubmosses, which are vascular plants. NEET aspirants can study selaginella from the article provided below.
Krati Saraswat3 Jun, 2025
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Selaginella Classification
Selaginella, also known as spikemoss or club moss, is a unique plant genus classified within the Plantae kingdom and the Selaginellaceae family. Its class is traditionally Lycopodiopsida, but some classifications suggest a separate class, Selaginellales. Selaginella has over 800 species and is divided into three subgenera: Selaginella, Bryodesma, and Lycopodioides.| Selaginella Classification | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Group |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta (Vascular plants) |
| Class | Lycopodiopsida or Selaginellales |
| Order | Selaginellales or Lycopodiales |
| Family | Selaginellaceae |
| Genus | Selaginella |
| Subgenera | Selaginella, Bryodesma, Lycopodioides |
Selaginella Structure
Selaginella, a genus of vascular plants in the Lycopodiophyta division, is commonly known as spikemoss. Despite their moss-like appearance, these plants possess a more intricate vascular system. They typically grow horizontally or ascend, featuring simple, scale-like leaves (microphylls) on branching stems with emerging roots.- Homophyllum: Leaves are spirally arranged.
- Heterophyllum: Leaves come in two types, with smaller leaves on the dorsal side and larger leaves on the ventral side of the stem as pairs. Each microphyll and sporophyll has a small scale-like outgrowth called a ligule at the base of the upper surface.
- Megaspores: Develop into female gametophytes.
- Microspores: Develop into male gametophytes.
Selaginella Characteristics
Selaginella, also known as spikemosses, are ancient plants from the Lycopodiophyta division. They thrive in moist, tropical areas but can survive in arid climates. These plants display a number of unique qualities, including:- Small Size: Most Selaginella species are small, herbaceous plants that grow close to the ground, ranging from a few centimeters to several decimeters in height.
- Stems and Leaves: Selaginella plants have creeping or erect, usually branched stems. Their small, scale-like leaves are arranged in rows along the stem, often iridescent in appearance.
- Reproduction: Selaginella reproduces through spores produced in specialized structures called sporangia, often clustered into cone-like strobili. Spores germinate to form new plants.
- Habitat: Found in tropical rainforests, temperate forests, and deserts, Selaginella grows on rocks, tree trunks, or in leaf litter on the forest floor.
- Ecological Role: These plants stabilize soil, provide habitat and food for various animals, and contribute to the nutrient cycle.
- Medicinal Uses: Some Selaginella species are used in traditional medicine for their diuretic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. They are also studied for potential cancer treatment.
- Ancient Lineage: Considered living fossils, Selaginella plants have remained relatively unchanged for millions of years and are closely related to plants from the Carboniferous period.
Selaginella Reproduction
Selaginella exhibits both vegetative and sexual reproduction. Tubers, buds, and fragmentation are used for vegetative reproduction, whereas spores are used for sexual reproduction. Selaginella Reproduction: Vegetative and Sexual1. Vegetative Reproduction in Selaginella
- Adventitious Branches: Separate and develop into new plants.
- Tubers: Develop at the apex of aerial branches, giving rise to new plants.
- Resting Buds: Form at the tip of some aerial branches and develop rhizophores under favourable conditions.
2. Sexual Reproduction in Selaginella
Selaginella is heterosporous, producing two types of spores: microspores (male) and megaspores (female).| Other NEET Biology Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ribosomes | Pollination | Apomixis |
| Centrosome | Embryo | Tissues |
| Rhizopus | Pinus | Gluconeogenesis |
| Chlamydomonas | Chara | Ribs |
Selaginella Life Cycle
Selaginella has a unique life cycle, alternating between a sporophyte (dominant) and a gametophyte phase.- Sporophyte Phase: Begins as a zygote, develops into a mature plant, produces spores through meiosis in sporangia.
- Spore Dispersal: Spores are released and dispersed, haploid (half the chromosomes of parent plant).
- Gametophyte Phase: Spores germinate into gametophyte, produces gametes (eggs, sperm) through mitosis.
- Fertilization: Sperm fertilizes egg, forming a zygote.
- Zygote Development: Zygote develops into a new sporophyte plant, completing the cycle.
Ligule In Selaginella
A ligule is a small, scale-like projection that appears at the base of Selaginella's upper surface of each microphyll and sporophyll. A tongue-shaped structure appears early in leaf development but is complex when fully grown. Ligules can be classified as having one of five body shapes: fan-shaped, elliptic, linguiform, campanulate, or rectangular. The plants' environmental conditions can influence the size of ligules. Ligules, made up of vacuolated cells, absorb water and contribute to the leaf and sporangium's moisture retention. The glossopodium, or base of the ligule, is swollen. The presence of glandular cells along the margin indicates a role in water secretion. Ligules can help distinguish between Lycopodium and Selaginella leaves.
Selaginella In Hindi
सेलाजिनेला, जिसे स्पाइकमॉस या क्लब मॉस के नाम से जाना जाता है, लगभग 700 मॉस जैसे संवहनी पौधों की एक प्रजाति है। यह सेलाजिनेलसी परिवार में एकमात्र जीवित प्रजाति है, जिसकी विशेषता एक लिग्यूले के साथ स्केल-जैसी पत्तियां होती हैं और दो प्रकार के बीजाणु पैदा करती हैं। सेलाजिनेला एक टेरिडोफाइट है और अपने परिवार में सबसे बड़ा जीनस है, जिसकी दुनिया भर में 800 से अधिक प्रजातियां हैं, मुख्य रूप से उष्णकटिबंधीय क्षेत्रों में। इन पौधों में एक संवहनी तंत्र और जड़ें होती हैं, जिनमें से अधिकांश जड़ प्रणाली प्ररोह-जनित होती है और राइजोफोरस के माध्यम से निकलती है। उनकी प्रजनन संरचना तने के शीर्ष पर एक पत्तीदार बीजाणु शंकु है।Physics Wallah offers NEET Online Coaching for aspiring students. Our team consists of highly qualified and experienced instructors. PW aims to assist all students, regardless of their skill level, and ensure outstanding results. Our Class 11 NEET online courses are designed to help students excel in the NEET exam.
| NEET Exam Important Links | |
|---|---|
| NEET Biology Syllabus | NEET Biology Diagrams |
| NEET Biology MCQ | NEET Biology Chapter wise Weightage |
| NEET Biology Notes | NEET Previous Year Question papers |
Selaginella FAQs
How is Selaginella different from other plants?
Selaginella apoda features dimorphic leaves arranged in four rows, with the lateral rows bearing larger leaves than those in the upper and lower rows. Its reproductive structure resembles a leafy, spore cone at the stem's apex.
What are the key characteristics of Selaginella?
Selaginella has a green, dichotomously branched stem that can be either prostrate with erect branches or erect. A single apical cell is typically found at the stem's growing tip. Its leaves are small, pointed, and covered in scales.
Why is Selaginella known as the resurrection plant?
Selaginella lepidophylla exhibits desiccation tolerance, enabling it to survive complete dehydration of its vegetative tissues and revive when placed in water, hence the name "resurrection plant."
What is the life cycle of Selaginella?
Similar to other pteridophytes, Selaginella demonstrates alternation of generations, alternating between a diploid sporophyte and a haploid gametophyte generation, a cycle known as a haplo-diplontic life cycle.
What is the scientific name of Selaginella?
Selaginella belongs to the Selaginellaceae family and encompasses approximately 700 moss-like plant species. It shares a resemblance in appearance to clubmosses, such as Lycopodium.
What are the medicinal properties of Selaginella?
Selaginella is a traditional Chinese folk herb with abundant resources. It has been utilized as an ethnic remedy for treating conditions such as bleeding and chronic inflammation, including arthritis, gonorrhea, hepatitis, and mastitis.
Is Selaginella a seedless plant?
Selaginella, classified as a club moss, is not a true moss but a primitive vascular plant. It does not produce seeds.
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