SELAGINELLA 



333 



greenhouses, are large, much-branched, and bushy plants, very 

 graceful and decorative. Some forms grow in dry situations 

 on sand and rocks, in Mexico and the Southwest. One species 

 (S. lepidophylla) is frequently sold in the North under the name 



FIG. 289. Selaginella Martensii 



A, branch bearing cones and showing the leaf arrangements; B, inner face of 

 a megasporophyll, showing the large megasporangium containing a group 

 of four megaspores (tetrad); C, two views of megaspores; D, inner face of 

 microsporophyll, showing microsporangium : E, microspores ; F, diagram of 

 a longitudinal section of cone illustrating position of microsporophylls and 

 megasporophylls and their microsporangia and megasporangia 



of " resurrection moss." This plant protects itself during drought 

 by rolling up the branches to form a compact ball. When 

 moistened the branches spread out and become fresh and green. 1 



1 A botanist states that the plants sold in the North will absorb moisture 

 and unroll, but are generally " dead " beyond recovery. 



