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Story: Ferns and lycophytes

African clubmoss

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African clubmoss

African clubmoss or spikemoss (Selaginella kraussiana) is a problem weed in bush remnants. It forms dense mats on the forest floor and stream banks, preventing the regeneration of native seedlings and sporelings. It was introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental ground cover for gardens, and probably spread into the forest when people dumped their garden rubbish alongside streams and forest reserves. African clubmoss is listed on the National Pest Plant Accord and cannot be sold, propagated or distributed in New Zealand.

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The Hidden Forest

by Clive Shirley

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How to cite this page

Patrick Brownsey, Ferns and lycophytes – Distribution, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10906/african-clubmoss (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Patrick Brownsey, published 1 March 2009.