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Club Moss
Selaginella kraussiana · Selaginellaceae
How it looks
Club Moss (Selaginella kraussiana) is a plant with very small, scale-like leaves densely packed along the branches, giving it a moss- or fern-like look. The leaves are pale to dark green, and it grows by creeping sideways. Height 2-6 in (5-15 cm); grown as a ground cover.
Club Moss is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
One note on species first. This page rests on the ASPCA verdict for spikemoss (Selaginella kraussiana). Other spikemosses sold under the same name, such as Selaginella involvens and Selaginella tamariscina, sit in the same genus but are different species. The ASPCA verdict covers S. kraussiana alone and does not extend to them.
Even with a safe plant, make a habit of picking up fallen leaves the same day.
If your cat likes to dig in or eat potting soil, fertilizer ingredients can upset their stomach — covering the soil with pebbles works well.
If it comes home as a cut stem, florists often treat it with preservatives, so place the vase where your cat can't drink the water.
Details
- Scientific name
- Selaginella kraussiana
- Common name
- Club Moss
- Family
- Selaginellaceae
- Source
- ASPCA cats plant list
Also known as
Related plants
Other safe flowers
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