[Botany • 2026] Selaginella jobii (Selaginellaceae) • A New Species from the southern Western Ghats in Kerala, India

 

Selaginella jobii Alen Alex, Abhilash, Gayathri, Sojan, V. Suresh & Leeja,

in Alen, Abhilash, Gayathri, Arya, Kumar, Sojan, Suresh, Antony et Leeja, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0127 

 Abstract

Selaginella jobii Alen Alex, Abhilash, Gayathri, Sojan, V. Suresh & Leeja, sp. nova (Selaginellaceae) is described as a new lycophyte species from the southern Western Ghats in Kerala, India. It morphologically resembles S. tenera, but can be distinguished by its small habit, basal rhizophores, median leaf traits, lack of vegetative buds and tapering strobili. The taxonomic delimitation is strongly supported by multivariate morphometric analysis (PCA) of macro- and micromorphological traits. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the rbcL gene places S. jobii as a sister to S. miniatospora. Growing on shaded laterite habitats in Palakkad, the species has an Area of Occupancy of less than 10 km2. Consequently, it is preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) following the IUCN criteria.

Selaginella jobii (from the holotype).
— A: Habit. — B: Rhizophore. — C: Stem. — D: Axillary leaf. — E: Lateral leaf. — F: Median leaf. — G: Strobili, dorsal view. — H: Strobili, ventral view. — I: Ventral sporophyll with megasporangium. — J: Ventral sporophyll with microsporangium. — K: Dorsal sporophyll with microsporangium.

Selaginella jobii Alen Alex, Abhilash, Gayathri, Sojan, V. Suresh & Leeja, sp. nova  

Etymology. The specific epithet jobii honours Dr Joseph Job, retired Associate Professor of Botany, St. Berchmans College, Changanassery, Kerala, India. An exemplary educator, Dr Job inspired numerous students, including the first author, to pursue science.

Diagnosis. Selaginella jobii is morphologically similar to S. tenera and S. miniatospora, but can be distinguished by its lean, non-spreading habit with exclusively basal rhizophores, tapering strobili featuring a distinct apical microsporangiate zone, and regular verrucate ornamentation on the megaspores. A comprehensive morphological comparison of these taxa is provided in Table 1.

Alex Philip Alen, Kalathil Sethumadhavan Abhilash, Thekkekara Suresh Gayathri, Sindhu Arya, Venugopalan Nair Saradamma Anil Kumar, Jose Sojan, Veerankutty Suresh, Raju Antony and Lakshmanan Leeja. 2026. Selaginella jobii (Selaginellaceae), A New Species from Kerala, India. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1);201-211. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0127 (13 August 2026)  

[Botany • 2026] Didiclis pseudobisulcata (Selaginellaceae) • A New Species of the Bisulcata group from northern Thailand and southwest China

  

Didiclis pseudobisulcata  X.M.Zhou & Liang Zhang,

in Gong, Hu, Pollawatn, Chantanaorrapint, Wang, Zhang et Zhou. 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.278.204624

Abstract

Didiclis pseudobisulcata (Lycopodioidoideae, Selaginellaceae), a new lycophyte species from northern Thailand and southwest China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, it is similar to D. bisulcata but can be reliably distinguished by its dorsal leaves on branches with an arista often more than 3/4 of the leaf length, the densely ciliolate base of the dorsal sporophyll pteryx, and megaspores with subreticulate exospore ornamentation. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and rbcL sequences supports this species as an independent clade. The ITS sequences revealed more than 42 nucleotide differences between the new species and other members of the Bisulcata group, providing clear molecular evidence for its separation from its closest relatives.

Key words: Asia, Lycopodioidoideae, megaspore and microspore, phylogeny

Field photographs of Didiclis pseudobisulcata.
 A, B. Plant in its natural habitat; C. Dorsal view of stems and branches with strobili; D. Ventral view of stems and branches with strobili; E. Dorsal view of strobilus; F. Ventral view of strobilus; G. Dorsal view of a portion of the main stem, showing ventral and dorsal leaves; H. Dorsal view of a portion of a branch, showing ventral and dorsal leaves; I. Ventral view of a portion of the main stem, showing axillary and ventral leaves; J. Ventral view of a portion of a branch, showing axillary and ventral leaves.

(from voucher: Liang Zhang, Xin-Mao Zhou, Lu-Yao Jiang, & Xu-Ke Han 5734).

Didiclis pseudobisulcata X.M.Zhou & Liang Zhang, sp. nov.

 Sheng-Rong Gong, Yu-Ping Hu, Rossarin Pollawatn, Sahut Chantanaorrapint, Wen Wang, Liang Zhang and Xin-Mao Zhou. 2026. Didiclis pseudobisulcata (Selaginellaceae), A New Species of the Bisulcata group from northern Thailand and southwest China. PhytoKeys. 278: 233-246. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.278.204624

[Botany • 2026] Selaginella magna (Selaginellaceae) • A New Species from China

 

Selaginella magna H.J.Wei, 

in Fu, Wei, Guo, Zheng, S.-P. Chen et B. Chen, 2026.

硕大卷柏  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.273.170753 

Abstract

Selaginella magna (Selaginellaceae), a new species in S. subg. Stachygynandrum from Guangxi, Fujian and Hunan, China, is here described and illustrated. It is the largest erect Selaginella species in China, characterized by acropetally shortening branches acropetally. Selaginella magna is most similar to S. willdenowii, but can be differentiated by its erect main stem, rhizophores restricted to rhizomes and stolons, and the absence of auricles at the base of both ventral and axillary leaves. Its triangular frond-like leafy stem with an acuminate apex confers a high degree of distinguishability in its natural habitat.

Key words: Deciduous plant, erect habit, IUCN Red List, Selaginella subg. Stachygynandrum, suborbicular sporophyll

Selaginella magna.
A. Habitat; B. Habit (arrows indicating portion of plant shown in line drawing); C. Abaxial view of portion of plant; D. Adaxial view of portion of plant; E. Megaspores; F. Lower portion of main stem with stolons; G. Microspore; H. Abaxial view of strobile; I. Adaxial view of strobile; J. Adaxial view of ventral leaf with portion of stem; K. Axillary leaf; L. Abaxial view of ventral leaf with portion of stem; M. Dorsal trophophyll.

Selaginella magna H.J.Wei, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Selaginella magna is closely related to S. willdenowii, but differs by its rhizophores being glabrous (compared to spine-like protuberances at base in the latter), confined to creeping rhizomes and the base of the stem (vs. often extending to the upper part of the main stem in the latter), branches that progressively shorten toward the apex (vs. nearly equal in length except young branches at the apex), ventral and axillary leaves without auricles (vs. with rounded auricles) at the base, and sporophylls that are not white-margined (vs. obviously white-margined).

Etymology. The epithet of the new species is derived from the Latin “magna”, meaning great or large.

Chinese name. 硕大卷柏 (shuò dà juăn băi).

 Hou-Hua Fu, Hong-Jin Wei, Yong-Jun Guo, Shuang-Quan Zheng, Shi-Pin Chen and Bin Chen. 2026. Selaginella magna (Selaginellaceae), A New Species from China. PhytoKeys. 273: 127-136.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.273.170753 [16 Apr 2026]

[Botany • 2024] Huperzia crassifolia (Lycopodiaceae) • A New Species from China based on morphological characters and molecular evidence

Huperzia crassifolia  W.M.Chu & B.Y.Zhang ex Z.Y.Guo, 

in Guo, Liu, Wang,  Fujiwara, Liu, Zhang et Schneider, 2024.

厚叶石杉   ||  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.246.131046

Abstract

A new species of the firmoss from China, Huperzia crassifolia sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. The new species resembles species associated with the H. javanica complex, in particular H. javanica based on leaf shape and serrations, but can be easily distinguished by elliptic lanceolate and thick coriaceous leaves, well differentiated seasonal constriction zones, and reflexed leaf margins when get dried. Phylogenomic reconstruction using whole chloroplast genome sequences recovered H. crassifolia as sister to H. sutchueniana and only distantly related to morphological similar species H. javanica, H. nanlingensis, and H. serrata. The genome size 2C = 17.2 pg indicated the new species to be a tetraploid, whereas diploid H. javanica had a genome size of 8.7 pg. Morphological characters, distribution, and conservation status of the new species are also presented.

Key words: Firmoss, integrative taxonomy, micromorphology, phylogenomics

Huperzia crassifolia sp. nov.
A, B habit C adaxial view of trophophyll D abaxial view of trophophyll E fertile portion of the shoot F gemmae

 (Photographed by Zhi-You Guo). 

 Illustration of Huperzia crassifolia sp. nov.
 A habit B adaxial view of trophophyll with prominently raised veins and serrate margin.

Drawn by Mr. Ying-Bao Sun based on the type specimen Zhi-You Guo 2016022 (QNUN).

 Huperzia crassifolia W.M.Chu & B.Y.Zhang ex Z.Y.Guo, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Huperzia crassifolia resembled species H. javanica in its gross morphology, but can be easily distinguished by the thicker texture and round-lanceolate pinnae. The well differentiated seasonal constriction zones, as well as the dark-green colour of the pinnae, provide further distinctions to species with similar morphology.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to its thick and coriaceous texture of the pinnae.

Vernacular name: 厚叶石杉 (Chinese pinyin: hou ye shi shan).

Zhi-You Guo, Hong-Mei Liu, Kai-Kai Wang, Tao Fujiwara, Zheng-Yu Liu, Xian-Chun Zhang and Harald Schneider. 2024. Huperzia crassifolia (Lycopodiaceae), A New Species from China based on morphological characters and molecular evidence.  PhytoKeys. 246: 27-42. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.246.131046

  

[Botany • 2022] Selaginella wuyishanensis (Selaginellaceae) • A New Species from East China and its Phylogenetic Position based on Molecular Data

Selaginella wuyishanensis K.W.Xu, X.M.Zhou & Y.F.Duan, 

in Xu, Chen, Song, ... et Duan, 2022.

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.202.85410

 

Abstract

A new spikemoss species, Selaginella wuyishanensis, is described and illustrated based on materials collected from Fujian Province, East China. The new species can be distinguished from S. lutchuensis Koidzumi and S. albociliata P. S. Wang by its leaves with extremely long cilia (up to 8 mm) and distinctly white margins, ovate ventral sporophylls, and sporophyll-pteryx completely inverted on dorsal sporophylls. In the present work, a molecular phylogeny, taxonomic description, distribution information, line drawing, and photographs of this new species are presented. A morphological comparison is also given to distinguish it from morphologically similar species in Selaginella sect. Tetragonostachyae (Hook. & Grev.) Hieron. & Sadeb.

Keywords: Danxia landform, Selaginella albociliata, Selaginella subg. Heterostachys, species diversity

Illustration of Selaginella wuyishanensis K.W.Xu, X.M.Zhou & Y.F.Duan. 
A habit B adaxial view of branch C abaxial view of branch with rhizophore D axillary leaf E ventral leaf F dorsal leaf G strobili H ventral sporophyll I dorsal sporophyll

(A–F drawn by Sun YB based on the isotype at NF 

G–I drawn by Wei HJ based on the paratype at CSH).

Selaginella wuyishanensis K.W.Xu, X.M.Zhou & Y.F.Duan 
A, B habit C abaxial view of portion of branch D portion of branch showing the dorsal leaves E portion of branch showing the ventral and axillary leaves F, G strobili H axillary leave I axillary leave J dorsal leave K ventral sporophyll L dorsal sporophyll M proximal surface of megaspores N detail of megaspore surface O microscopic structures of microspore surface P proximal surface of microspore.

 

 Selaginella wuyishanensis K.W.Xu, X.M.Zhou & Y.F.Duan, sp. nov.

 

 

Diagnosis: The new species is most similar to Selaginella albociliata and S. lutchuensis in the habit, sterile leaves, and spores. However, S. wuyishanensis can be distinguished from the latter two species by its long leaf cilia (up to 0.6 mm), ovate ventral sporophylls, and the smooth perispore surface of the megaspores (Figs 2, 3).

Distribution and habitat: Selaginella wuyishanensis is known only from Fujian Province, East China. Three populations were observed to grow on rocks of the Danxia landform in evergreen broad-leaved forests at elevations of ca. 200–800 m.

 

Etymology: The species epithet is based on the name of the famous mount Wuyishan, referring to the type locality of the new species.

Ke-Wang Xu, Shui-Fei Chen, Qiang Song, Xiao Zheng, Meng Li, Yan-Ming Fang, Hong-Jin Wei, Hui Ding, Xin-Mao Zhou and Yi-Fan Duan. 2022. Selaginella wuyishanensis (sect. Tetragonostachyae, Selaginellaceae), A New Species from East China and its Phylogenetic Position based on Molecular Data. PhytoKeys. 202: 107-119.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.202.85410

[Botany • 2022] Selaginella orientali-chinensis (Selaginellaceae) • A New Resurrection Spikemoss Species from southeastern China based on Morphological and Molecular Evidences

 Selaginella orientali-chinensis Ching et C. F. Zhang ex H. W. Wang et W. B. Liao, 

co-occurred population of S. orientali-chinensis [A-B] and S. tamariscina [C] 

(S. tamariscina is showed in the red dotted boxes).

in Wang, Dai, Chen, Fan & Liao, 2022.  

 xuebao.SYSU.edu.cn 

Abstract

Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring and S. pulvinata (Hook. et Grev.) Maxim. are two closely related rosette forming and resurrection spikemoss species widespread in Asia. In this paper， Selaginella orientali-chinensis Ching et C. F. Zhang ex H. W. Wang et W. B. Liao was described and illustrated. This species was closely related to S. tamariscina and S. pulvinata and previously misidentified as S. tamariscina. By the gross morphological and molecular evidences， we found that this species is easily distinguished from S. tamariscina and S. pulvinata by the absolutely dichotomously branched main stems. Our field works confirmed that this species is widely distributed in southeastern China and mainly inhabits Danxia landforms areas. In some cases， this species shares the same habitats with S. tamariscina. Illustrating the morphological， phylogenetic and distribution characters of this new species would provide new data for the taxonomic studies on the genus Selaginella in the future.

  

Key words: Selaginella, Danxia landforms, morphology, phylogeny, distribution

 Selaginella orientali-chinensis Ching et C. F. Zhang ex H. W. Wang et W. B. Liao. 
A: Lower view of branchlets; B; Upper view of branchlets; C: Dorsal leaf; D: Ventral leaf ; E: Megasporophyll; F: Microsporophyll; G: Lower view of strobilus; H: Upper view of strobilus.  

 Selaginella orientali-chinensis Ching et C. F. Zhang ex H. W. Wang et W. B. Liao. 
A: Habit; B: Dorsal leaf; C: Ventral leaf; D: Strobilus; E: Part of main stem showing ventral leaves, axillary leaves; F: Part of main stem showing dorsal leaves; G: Megasporophyll; H: Microsporophyll. 

(Drawn by Yun-Xiao Liu)

Morphology comparison between Selaginella orientali-chinensis and S. tamariscina
A-B: S. orientali-chinensis; C: S. tamariscina;
D: A co-occurred population of S. orientali-chinensis and S. tamariscina (S. tamariscina is showed in the red dotted boxes).

Selaginella orientali-chinensis Ching et C. F. Zhang ex H. W. Wang et W. B. Liao, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to S. tamariscina and S. pulvinata in plant form and the morphology of dorsal leaves, ventral leaves, and sporophylls. However, the main stems of S. orientali-chinensis are absolutely dichotomously branched, while those of S. tarmariscina and S. pulvinata are pinnately branched. Additionally, S. pulvinata usually inhabits alpine, plateau, and temperate region, and the tree-like trunks usually form compact cushions, but S. orientali-chinensis and S. tamariscina are distributed in the mountains or lowland of subtropical regions, and have tree-like trunks that are slender and do not form compact cushions.

Distribution and ecology. Selaginella orientali-chinensis is widely distributed in southern and eastern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian,  Hunan, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces), growing on bare rock and grassy slope at 100 to 1,000 m a.s.l., and mainly in Danxia landforms.

   

   

Haowei WANG, Jingmin DAI, Zaixiong CHEN, Qiang FAN and Wenbo LIAO. 2022. Selaginella orientali-chinensis, A New Resurrection Spikemoss Species from southeastern China based on Morphological and Molecular Evidences. ACTA SCIENTIARUM NATURALIUM UNIVERSITATIS SUNYATSENI (中山大学学报（自然科学版). 61(2); 

 xuebao.SYSU.edu.cn/Jweb_zrb/article/2022/0529-6579/0529-6579-2022-61-2-57.shtml

 xuebao.SYSU.edu.cn/Jweb_zrb/CN/10.13471/j.cnki.acta.snus.2022E003

中国东南部复苏卷柏一新种：东方卷柏 ——基于形态学和分子生物学证据

摘要：卷柏和垫状卷柏是两种近缘的莲座状复苏卷柏，两者在亚洲皆有广阔的分布区域。本研究描述并修订了东方卷柏这一新种；该种是卷柏和垫状卷柏的近缘种，此前常被错误鉴定为卷柏。东方卷柏与卷柏和垫状卷柏最大的形态差异在于东方卷柏的主茎为二叉分枝，而卷柏和垫状卷柏的主茎为羽状分支。形态学和分子系统发育数据分析强烈支持卷柏、垫状卷柏和东方卷柏各自独立的物种地位。通过查阅以往被错误鉴定的东方卷柏标本，可知该种广泛地分布于华东和华南地区。此外，野外调查表明该新种主要生长于丹霞地貌区，有时会和卷柏混生。本文对东方卷柏新种的形态、系统发育和地理分布进行了描述，这将有助于未来的植物学和生态学野外工作者开展针对性的相关研究。东方卷柏学名的种加词 orientali-chinensis 是我国蕨类分类学家秦仁昌及张朝芳1982年在标本台纸上对该种作出的鉴定，使用的是裸名，没有描述，本文在此正式合格发表继续采用了该名称，以资纪念。

关键词: 卷柏属, 丹霞地貌, 形态学, 系统发育, 地理分布

[Botany • 2019] Synopsis of the Genus Phlegmariurus (Lycopodiaceae) in Colombia

Phlegmariurus sp.

in Øllgaard, 2019. 

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.426.1.1

Abstract

This article  presents the results of a study of a large material of Colombian Lycopodiaceae, describing 75 species of the genus Phlegmariurus, some of them subdivided into several varieties. Their nomenclature, distribution and habitats are indicated, and problems of species delimitation and infraspecific variation are discussed. All species are illustrated, and studied specimens are cited. An attempt has been made to group the species, mainly following the clades of recent molecular studies. The following taxa are described as new to science: Phlegmariurus cocuyensis, P. cruentus var. exilis, P. cruentus var. illimitatus, P. idroboi, and P. josesantae.

Keywords: Lycopodiaceae, Phlegmariurus, Colombia, Pteridophytes

Benjamin Øllgaard [B.Øllg.]. 2019. Synopsis of the Genus Phlegmariurus (Lycopodiaceae) in Colombia. Phytotaxa. 426(1); 1-105. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.426.1.1

[Botany • 2018] Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis (Huperzioideae, Lycopodiaceae) • A New Species from Vanuatu, Re-circumscription of P. nummulariifolius and New Combinations in Phlegmariurus

(D, E, F) Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis A.R.Field

(C) Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius (Blume) Ching

 in Field, 2018

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.109.29359 

Abstract

Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis A.R.Field is described as a new species for plants endemic to the islands of Vanuatu that were previously identified with P. nummulariifolius (Blume) Ching. The Vanuatuan species differs from the widespread Asian-Oceanian species in several characteristics, most notably its acutely divergent leaf arrangement and thicker less branched fertile spikes. Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius is here re-circumscribed as plants occurring in Asia and into Oceania as far east as the Solomon Islands, being replaced eastwards by P. vanuatuensis. In addition, new nomenclatural combinations are made for Phlegmariurus australis, a species from Polynesia and for Phlegmariurus copelandianus, a species from Malesia.

Keywords: Phlegmariurus, Lycopodiaceae, Vanuatu, Oceania

Figure 1. Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis  ARF1140: A habit, leaf arrangement and fertile spikes B close up of sterile leaf arrangement showing subopposite decussate leaf arrangement and ovate-oval leaves C close up of fertile spike showing scale like sporophylls and a sporangium.

Scale bar: 10 cm (A); 1 cm (B, C). Illustration by A.R.Field. 

Figure 2. Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius ARF0002: A basal region of shoot showing branching pattern and leaf arrangement B medial region of shoot showing adpressed leaf arrangement in facial and lateral view C distal region of shoot showing abrupt transition to sporophylls and filiform fertile spikes.

Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis ARF1140
D basal region of shoot showing branching pattern and leaf arrangement E medial region of shoot showing divergent leaf arrangement in facial and lateral view F distal region of shoot showing gradual transition to sporophylls and funiform-filiform fertile spikes. 

Photos by A.R.Field

Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis A.R.Field, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis is similar to Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius but differs in having acutely spreading non-flattened sterile leaves (compared with adpressed and imbricate leaves flattened in on plane in P. nummulariifolius), thicker pale green-brown stem bases 3.5–5.5 mm diameter in P. vanuatuensis (compared to thinner dark black-brown stem bases 1.5–3.5 mm diameter in P. nummulariifolius) and a gradual transition to thicker less ramified fertile spikes 2–5.5 mm diameter in P. vanuatuensis (compared to an abrupt transition to slender ramified fertile spikes 1–2.5 mm in P. nummulariifolius).

Distribution, habitat and ecology: Endemic to Vanuatu where it occurs as an uncommon epiphyte on the bark of tree trunks and branches in the canopy to subcanopy of mature trees in lowland to montane primary tropical rainforest.

Etymology: Named for the origin of this species in Vanuatu. Vanuatu is a composition of the Austronesian words ‘Vanua’ meaning home or land and ‘Tu’ meaning stand.

 Ashley Raymond Field. 2018. Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis (Huperzioideae, Lycopodiaceae) A New Species from Vanuatu, Re-circumscription of P. nummulariifolius and New Combinations in Phlegmariurus. PhytoKeys. 109: 53-66. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.109.29359