Description
Selaginella sp. ‘Senegalina’ – Trailing Spikemoss-Type Plant
A trailing/clumping Selaginella stock line with pale growing tips and occasional blue-green iridescent effects under suitable light.
Identification
“Senegalina” is retained as the trade/hobby name under which this plant has been supplied. The “sp.” is important: Frogfather is not claiming that ‘Senegalina’ is a formally accepted species name or a botanically verified Senegalese taxon.
What it is
Selaginella is a vascular lycophyte commonly called spikemoss. It is not a true moss.
Growing conditions
- Light: moderate filtered/indirect terrarium lighting.
- Moisture: keep moist but avoid stagnant waterlogged conditions.
- Humidity: generally favours humid displays, with useful airflow.
- Growth: clumping, creeping and trailing behaviour may vary according to conditions and the individual plant.
Colour and structure
Pale new tips and iridescent flashes can be attractive characteristics, but their intensity is not guaranteed under every lighting system. Likewise, “slightly woody” is a descriptive Frogfather observation rather than a diagnostic botanical feature.
Animal-enclosure use
Suitable as a planted visual element where the enclosure conditions match the plant. Prepare nursery stock appropriately before using it around sensitive amphibians.
Plant & Vivarium-Use Review
Last reviewed: 5 September 2026
Plant performance depends on the individual species or cultivar, root condition, light, substrate, watering, ventilation and temperature. Frogfather therefore avoids presenting one fixed relative-humidity range as a universal requirement or calling a plant automatically “safe” for amphibians simply because the species is commonly used in vivariums.
For sensitive amphibian enclosures, plants should be inspected and prepared to minimise pesticide, fertiliser and propagation-product residues before introduction.
