selaginella

selaginella [sel΄ə ji nel′ə]

n.

〚ModL, dim. < L selago (gen. selaginis), kind of plant〛

any of a genus (Selaginella) of small-leaved lycopods, having two kinds of spores borne in cones at the tips of the branches

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se·lag·i·nel·la (sə-lăj'ə-nĕlʹə) n.

Any of numerous fernlike, usually prostrate plants of the genus Selaginella, having small scalelike leaves and bearing spores.

  [New Latin Selāginella, genus name, from Latin selāgō, selāgin-, a plant resembling the savin.]

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      genus of plants that are commonly known as spike moss (q.v.).

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