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; JD, 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. 



