Selaginella longiciliata

Selaginellaceae

Selaginella longiciliata Hieron.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/120329

Plants ascending or erect, to 12 cm tall, rooting at stem base; branches numerous, c. 6–10 cm long, in 1 plane, each ending in a strobilus. Median leaves narrowly ovate, 0.6–1.1 mm long; margins long-ciliate; apex attenuate to acute. Lateral leaves oblong-elliptic, 1.1–1.8 mm long; margins sparsely ciliate below, denticulate above; apex acute. Strobili 4–6 mm long, resupinate; sporophylls in a median position bearing megaspores, ovate-triangular with a very acute apex; margins ciliate-dentate; sporophylls in a lateral position bearing microsporangia, similar in shape to median sporophylls but with longer cilia. Megaspores c. 240–290 µm diam., finely reticulate. Microspores 25–38 µm diam., verruculose. 

Occurs in Cape York Peninsula, NE QLD. Also in New Guinea.

Grows on boulders besides streams and near waterfalls.