Family: Selaginellaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Selaginella braunii is a fern ally native to southern China and Hainan, where it grows in moist forests and shaded habitats. This evergreen, non-flowering plant forms dense clumps of finely divided, feathery foliage and is valued for its lush, tropical appearance. It is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental groundcover or container plant in shaded gardens, conservatories, and botanical collections. Its ability to thrive in humid conditions and low light makes it attractive for specialty horticulture and landscape use.

Risks & Threats
Although Selaginella braunii is currently not known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses traits that are cause for concern. Like other species adapted to moist tropical and subtropical environments, it can spread vegetatively and may establish persistent populations where conditions are favorable. Dense growth has the potential to compete with native vegetation, alter ground-layer plant communities, and contribute to ecological change in sensitive habitats. Because tropical island ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to invasive species, caution is warranted. Ongoing evaluation is recommended to better understand its behavior and potential impacts in Hawaiʻi. When selecting plants for landscaping or restoration projects, choosing a low-risk or native alternative is recommended whenever suitable options are available.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m
  
• Widely naturalized
  
• Related Selaginella species have become invasive
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• May slowly form a dense ground cover that could exclude other vegetation
  
• Can spread vegetatively and by spores

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite ability to spread, no negative impacts have been documented thus far
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Ornamental ground cover
  
• Non-toxic