Bigelow's Spikemoss (Selaginella bigelovii) observed in Los Gatos
iNaturalist: danmelin
Urban Ecology
Documented sightings of native plants like Bigelow's Spikemoss help conservationists and local land managers know which wild areas still support healthy, diverse plant communities — including the hillsides and open spaces near your neighborhood.
Someone spotted and photographed a small, ancient plant called Bigelow's Spikemoss growing in the Los Gatos area, and the sighting was verified as accurate by the iNaturalist community. Spikemosses are fascinating survivors — they're related to plants that were alive during the age of dinosaurs, yet this tiny species quietly grows on rocky slopes in California. Finding it here helps build a picture of what native plants are still thriving in the region.
Key Findings
A research-grade (community-verified) observation of Bigelow's Spikemoss was confirmed in Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California.
Selaginella bigelovii is a native California spikemoss typically found on dry, rocky slopes and chaparral — its presence indicates relatively intact native habitat.
The observation contributes to iNaturalist's citizen science dataset, improving distribution knowledge for this species across the Bay Area.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A research-grade observation of Bigelow's Spikemoss was recorded in Los Gatos, California, adding a confirmed, verified sighting of this native fern ally to the local biodiversity record.
Abstract Preview
Research-grade observation of Bigelow's Spikemoss in Los Gatos.
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Species Mentioned
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Selaginella bigelovii is a species of spikemoss known by the common names bushy spikemoss and Bigelow's spikemoss. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows in rocky places in many different habitat types, from the coastline to the mountains to the deserts. This lycophyte for...