Selaginella willdenowii
| Selaginella willdenowii | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Lycopodiophyta |
| Class: | Isoetopsida |
| Order: | Selaginellales |
| Family: | Selaginellaceae |
| Genus: | Selaginella |
| Species: | S. willdenowii |
| Binomial name | |
| Selaginella willdenowii (Desv. ex Poir.) Baker | |
Selaginella willdenowii is a species of spikemoss known by the common names Willdenow's spikemoss[1][2] and peacock fern,[3] due to its iridescent blue leaves.[4][5] Like other Selaginallales, it is fern ally and not a true fern.
The blue iridescence is produced by thin-film interference produced by a thin layer of cells with lamellar structure in the upper cuticle of leaves. It is suggested that this adaptation reduces the effect of strong sun beams filtering through the canopy that would otherwise damage shade-adapted species.[6] Blue iridescence is found also Selaginella uncinata and both species are adapted for extreme shade below the forest canopy.[7]
Selaginella willdenowii is sometimes listed as Selaginella willdenovii.[8]
References
- ↑ Selaginella willdenovii — Willdenow's Spikemoss, Encyclopedia of Life
- ↑ Selaginella willdenowii, USDA Plants Database
- ↑ Nature's Palette - the Science of Plant Color by David Lee
- ↑ Function of blue iridescence in tropical understorey plants by Thomas et al; 25 October 2010
- ↑ Leaves change colors under different lighting: Selaginella ferns, asknature.org
- ↑ Thomas, Katherine R.; Kolle, Mathias; Whitney, Heather M.; Glover, Beverley J.; Steiner, Ullrich (2010-12-06). "Function of blue iridescence in tropical understorey plants". Journal of The Royal Society Interface 7 (53): 1699–1707. doi:10.1098/rsif.2010.0201. ISSN 1742-5689. PMC 2988267. PMID 20519208.
- ↑ Hébant, Charles; Lee, David W. (1984). "Ultrastructural Basis and Developmental Control of Blue Iridescence in Selaginella Leaves". American Journal of Botany 71 (2): 216–219. JSTOR 2443748.
- ↑ Peacock fern Selaginella willdenovii, Fact Sheet, Weeds of Australia, Biosecurity Queensland Edition
External links
- glow-in-the-light ferns by daniela rambaldini; 19 May 2011
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