Selaginella tamariscina aka Little Club Moss

Selaginella tamariscina is a small plant in the Selaginellaceae family. It is evergreen and lives for more than two years. Its native range spans China, Japan, and parts of Malesia. Sources list it in Mongolia, Korea, and northeast India too. It also grows in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It grows in both temperate and tropical regions. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

Plants reach about 0.33 feet [0.1 metres] in height. Dense tufts of stems branch close to their base. They form a rosette, not a tall, open plant. Stem lengths range from 0.13–0.49 feet [0.04–0.15 metres]. The stems and roots can knit into a trunk-like mass. In rare cases, this reaches 1.48 feet [0.45 metres] long. That rare length is not the normal garden height. The plant grows in soil and on rock surfaces.

Its response to dry weather is a key trait. The leaves curl inward as the plant dries out. Young growth shows this change more than older growth. The green parts then take on a yellow-brown shade. When moisture returns, they spread out and turn green again. Useful Tropical Plants says established plants can withstand long dry spells. Yet the plant prefers moist soil, despite this drought response. The sources call it evergreen: it keeps leaves all year.

In Japan, it grows on rocks in shaded places. Useful Tropical Plants also notes growth on limestone rocks. PFAF suggests light shade and soil that stays moist. It lists sand, loam, and clay as suitable soil types. Its stated pH range is mildly acid to mildly alkaline. PFAF lists garden beds as sites for the plant. It also lists spots beside north-facing or east-facing walls. Its small size and rosette shape suit close viewing there. The supplied sources give no firm rating for frost hardiness. They give no guidance on pests, either.

People gather wild plants for local food and medicinal use. They cook young shoots to eat them. PFAF gives the plant a low rating for food use. It also lists leaves as parts people can eat. Traditional medicine uses the whole plant for its astringent properties. Reported uses include preparations meant to help control bleeding. These records show traditional use, not proof that treatments work. Both PFAF and Useful Tropical Plants report no known hazards. This does not prove safety for each person or pet.