Selaginella gypsophila

A drought-tolerant spikemoss confined to gypsum outcrops in the mountains of north-eastern Mexico, described by Smith and Reeves in 1984. Like other xeric Selaginella it curls up when dry and revives with rain, so it needs bright light, a gypsum-rich mineral mix and a dry winter, not a humid terrarium.

At home, aim for

Day Cool-growingTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Dry airBand in Plantistry

Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows on rock (lithophyte)

Where it grows wild

Grows on gypsum rock and gypsum-derived soils in semi-arid scrub and open woodland, tucked among rocks where it can dry out and rehydrate repeatedly.

Recorded from 1368 to 2290 m, median 2000 m.

Mexico Northeast

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.