Kamariang Gubat

Prepared by:
Helen Bernadette C. Maghinay
FRM 140
Second Semester, A.Y. 2010-2011
After the interpretation, the visitors should be able to:

Give at least three characteristics of Kamariang Gubat

Give at least one everyday use of Kamariang Gubat

Appreciate the ecological significance of Kamariang
Gubat

Good day everyone!

Are you enjoying the tour so far?

Well, after knowing about big trees, now I would like
to introduce to you a small plant.

This plant is called the Kamariang Gubat.

Scientifically, it is called Selaginella plana.

You probably know this plant as the Cypress spikemoss
or Asian spikemoss.

Unlike the big trees you have seen earlier, this plant
can only grow 18 to 24 inches tall.

Does it look familiar to you? You have probably seen
them before in bouquets or flower baskets. See, they
can be used as ornamental plants.

The Kamariang Gubat is a perennial plant. That means
that they grow all year around.

The Kamariang Gubat belongs to a group called
Lycophytes.

Lycophytes are also known as fern allies. Plants like the
Kamariang Gubat are called fern allies because they
look like ferns. They also share a few common
characteristics. Later, in the tour, you will see real ferns
and you can see for yourself that they look quite alike.

Remember, they’re not really ferns. They just look like
ferns.

Lycophytes like the Kamariang Gubat are said to be
one of the oldest plants on Earth.

They are known to have existed since the Devonian or
Silurian period. Does anybody know when that was?

Yes! You’re right! Thank you for your answer! Plants
like the Kamariang Gubat have existed since over 400
million years ago!

The Kamariang gubat prefers moist, humid and shady
areas.

That’s why, as you can see, it’s growing here, on the
forest floor, beneath the shade of taller plants and
trees.

Apart from being a decorative plant, the Kamariang
Gubat also plays an important role in the forest.

Small as it is, it helps prevent soil erosion.

See, Kamariang Gubat grows from specialized
underground stems called rhizoids. These rhizoids
creep extensively along the soil and holds it in place.

In other countries like Malaysia, the Kamariang Gubat

is used as a medicine. It is known to cure coughs,
stomach aches, and asthma.

So, that’s it for the Kamariang Gubat.

Let’s go and get to know more about other plants and
trees!

Berg, L.B. (2007). Introductory Botany. California: Thomson Higher Education. p. 462

Gifford, E.M., Mickel, J.T., Wagner, Jr., W.H.. (2011). Lycophyte. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved
from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/352586/lycophyte on March 19, 2011.

Magnolia Gardens Nursery. (2009). Selaginella plana: Cypress spikemoss. Retrieved from
http://www.magnoliagardensnursery.com/productdescrip/Selaginella_Cypress.html
on March 19, 2011.

Selaginella plana, a medicinal herb. (2009). Retrieved from

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayjayc/3892042620/ on March 19, 2011.

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SEPL3 on March 19, 2011.