Selaginellaceae Members of this family are commonly called Spike-moss. This family contains only one genus,which contains two species of Resurrection Plants, Selaginella lepidophylla , and Selaginella pilifera . Amazingly, even after this lively plant dies, it can still uncurl its infolded leaves once it is watered. Both species are native to an area extending from Western Texas to Southeastern and Central New Mexico. They are usually found on dry limestone rocks and cliff faces and are occasionally cultivated in greenhouses.
Resurrection Plants form straight stems which grow up to eight centimeters in length.
These stems have many branched tips which actually curl inward when the plant becomes too dry. Unlike most ferns, these fern-allies have a hererosporous reproductive mechanism which produces both megaspores and microspores within their lifecycles. In Selaginella, the megaspores are usually produced at the base of the cone, while the microspores are manufactured toward the top. Despite the distinction between the male and female components of this plant, its overall lifecycle closely follows that of most homosporous ferns.