Selaginella tortipila is a species in the family Selaginellaceae commonly known as twistedhiar spikemoss. It is mainly found in southeastern United States in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, specifically in the region of Appalachian mountains and piedmont. S. tortipila is a small and green plant which grows on rocky outcrops and granitic surfaces. Historically, there has been a long debate over whether S. tortipila and its closely relative Selaginella sherwoodii with some scientist claiming that taxonomically they are the same species. Recently, some classified S. sherwoodii as an ecological form of S. tortipila. The naming of S.
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Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Twistedhair Spikemoss being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Selaginella rupestris
- Selaginella corallina
- Selaginella rupincola
- Selaginella wallacei
- Selaginella weatherbiana
- Selaginella acanthonota
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Lycopodiopsida
- Order
- Selaginellales
- Family
- Selaginellaceae
- Genus
- Selaginella
- Species
- Selaginella tortipila
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