peacock-fern

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• peacock-fern
• Willdenow's spikemoss
• peacock fern
• vine spikemoss

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lycopodioides caespitosa
• Selaginella caesia arborea
• Selaginella denuana
• Selaginella uncinata var. arborea
• Didiclis willdenowii
• Selaginella caespitosum
• Lycopodium caespitosum
• Lycopodium willdenowii
• Lycopodioides willdenowii
• Lycopodium caesium arboreum
• Selaginella arborea
• Selaginella willdenowii var. punctulata
• Selaginella willdenowii var. caesia-arborea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Lycopodiidae. It is further classified under the order Selaginellales and the family Selaginellaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Selaginella.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its distribution extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the borders of Bangladesh. Furthermore, the species is present in the Indo-China region, encompassing both the Andaman Islands and Cambodia. Collectively, these locations highlight the widespread occurrence of this medicinal species across diverse habitats.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Selaginella willdenowii is defined by a broad altitudinal distribution that spans a significant vertical gradient. This species can be found inhabiting environments starting from sea level, with an elevational range minimum of 0 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy lowland habitats. As the terrain rises, the plant extends its reach up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL, though its ecological preferences are most concentrated around a mean elevation of 1350 m AMSL. This distribution pattern suggests a specialized adaptation to specific moisture and temperature regimes characteristic of these mid-to-low altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Selaginella willdenowii is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a lycopod, its life cycle involves a complex alternation of generations, typically featuring a dominant sporophyte stage that provides the structural framework of the plant. Throughout its perennial existence, it undergoes a specialized reproductive process involving the production of spores within strobili, which are then dispersed to facilitate the development of a small, independent gametophyte generation. This enduring lifecycle enables the species to establish stable populations within its specific ecological niches, maintaining continuity through successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Selaginella willdenowii is characterized by a growth form categorized as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, functioning as a self-supporting structure rather than an obligatory or facultative liana or vine. In terms of its ecological positioning and habitat, it is primarily terrestrial, spanning a range that includes aquatic and semiaquatic environments. It does not function as a parasite, maintaining an independent existence, and is likewise characterized as terrestrial rather than acting as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Selaginella willdenowii is characterized by a unique capacity for desiccation tolerance, allowing the plant to undergo extreme dehydration and rapid rehydration without sustaining lethal cellular damage. Central to its metabolic survival is its photosynthetic pathway, which functions via the C3 mechanism. During periods of water deficit, the plant undergoes physiological transitions to protect its photosynthetic apparatus, often entering a state of metabolic quiescence where chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange are significantly reduced to prevent photoinhibition and oxidative stress. As moisture becomes available, the plant exhibits a highly coordinated physiological recovery, rapidly restoring turgor pressure and reactivating its C3 photosynthetic processes to resume carbon fixation.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Selaginella willdenowii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Selaginella willdenowii has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Amentoflavone, Bilobetin, Isocryptomerin, Robustaflavone.

Amentoflavone

1. Phytochemistry

Bilobetin

1. Phytochemistry

Isocryptomerin

1. Phytochemistry

Robustaflavone

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Selaginella willdenowii has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Phytochemistry

Conditions

Selaginella willdenowii has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Chemistry, an Asian journal

Preparations

Selaginella willdenowii has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Phytochemistry