Habitat:
Selaginella wallichii is native to a wide region spanning the Eastern Himalayas, southern China, Indochina, and parts of Malesia, including Nepal, Bhutan, northeast India, Yunnan, northern Thailand, and Vietnam. It is typically found in evergreen broadleaf forests, thriving on moist, shaded slopes, rocky outcrops, or along stream banks, often at elevations between 500 and 2,000 metres. The species prefers humid montane environments with consistent rainfall, and often occurs as a terrestrial or lithophytic mat, growing in deep leaf litter or over moss-covered stone.
Description:
Selaginella wallichii is a moderate-sized, creeping to ascending lycophyte, typically forming loose mats or spreading colonies. The stems are branched pinnately, up to 30 cm long, with slender rhizophores emerging at nodes. Leaves are dimorphic and four-ranked: lateral leaves are ovate to lanceolate, with entire or slightly denticulate margins and an acute apex, typically 2.5–4 mm long; dorsal leaves are smaller, triangular, and appressed. Foliage ranges in color from medium to deep green, sometimes with a bluish tinge when young. The overall habit is more upright than in closely allied creeping species. Strobili are terminal, slender, and cylindrical, measuring up to 2.5 cm long, and bear both megasporangia and microsporangia.
Cultivation:
This species requires high humidity (70–90%) and low to moderate light, ideally mimicking its native understory habitat. It prefers temperatures between 16–24 °C and does not tolerate frost or drought. The soil should be consistently moist but free-draining, with a mix of sphagnum moss, fine orchid bark, and a small amount of humus. Ideal pH is slightly acidic (5.5–6.5). Water with soft or distilled water and avoid letting the substrate dry out. Fertilise lightly every 4–6 weeks during the growing season using a dilute foliage or orchid fertiliser. Suitable for terrarium or greenhouse cultivation, especially in cloud forest setups.
Specifications:
Plant Size:
Plant Family: Selaginellaceae
Plant Passport: Selaginella wallichii B 140084 C 14435 D GB