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Definition of selaginella

selaginella

/ˌsɛlədʒɪˈnɛlə/
sel · a · gi · nel · la
Plural:selaginellas
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selaginella Lexical Profile

selaginella Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of a large genus of terrestrial and epiphytic vascular plants, commonly known as spikemosses, characterized by creeping or ascending stems, scale-like leaves, and reproduction via spores.

Example

"The botany students studied the selaginella in the terrarium to understand the reproductive cycle of primitive vascular plants."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for selaginella

Word Nuance & Usage

Though commonly called spikemoss, selaginella is not a true moss; it is a primitive vascular plant belonging to the lycophyte lineage.

• Rhymes for selaginella

• Nearby Words

seismograph
seitan
sekumpul
selaginella
selenga
selenicereus
selfoss

Word Origin & Etymology

From New Latin 'Selaginella', a diminutive of 'Selago' (an ancient plant name used by Pliny for a kind of clubmoss), reflecting its smaller, moss-like appearance.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Selaginella. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/selaginella
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