Selaginella brachyclada Baker

Selaginella brachyclada, a rare fern ally, is distinguished by its unique leaf morphology and habitat preferences. This species, previously misidentified or synonymized with other Selaginella species, thrives on moist rock ledges near waterfalls in tropical savanna and gallery forests, primarily in Guyana and Venezuela's Gran Sabana region within Canaima National Park. Its median leaves feature rounded to subcordate bases with hyaline inner margins and denticulate or entire apices, while axillary leaves are ovate-deltate to subcordate with subcordate to rounded bases. The study highlights its endangered status due to habitat threats like human-ignited fires and illegal gold mining, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 4,128.942 km² and area of occupancy (AOO) of 20 km². Selaginella brachyclada is assessed as Endangered under IUCN Criterion B, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Valdespino, I. A., & López, C. A. (2026). Selaginella brachyclada Baker. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.20271190