Selaginella willdenowii is a species of vascular plant in the Selaginellaceae family. It is a spikemoss known by the common names Willdenow's spikemossSelaginella willdenovii — Willdenow's Spikemoss, Encyclopedia of LifeSelaginella willdenowii, USDA Plants Database and peacock fernNature's Palette - the Science of Plant Color by David Lee (a name shared with S. Uncinata) due to its iridescent blue leaves.Function of blue iridescence in tropical understorey plants by Thomas et al; 25 October 2010Leaves change colors under different lighting: Selaginella ferns, asknature.org Like other Selaginallales, it is fern ally and not a true fern.
Selaginella willdenowii is sometimes spelt incorrectly as Selaginella willdenovii.Peacock fern Selaginella willdenovii , Fact Sheet, Weeds of Australia, Biosecurity Queensland Edition
Description The blue iridescence is produced by thin-film interference in a thin layer of cells with lamellar structure present in the upper cuticle of leaves. It is suggested that this adaptation reduces the effect of strong sun beams filtering through the canopy that would otherwise damage shade-adapted species. Blue iridescence is found also Selaginella uncinata and both species are adapted for extreme shade below the forest canopy.
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Glow-in-the-light ferns by Daniela Rambaldini; 19 May 2011