selaginella

noun

se·​lag·​i·​nel·​la sə-ˌla-jə-ˈne-lə 

: any of a genus (Selaginella) of mosslike lower tracheophytes that are related to or grouped with the club mosses and have scalelike leaves and produce one-celled sporangia containing both megaspores and microspores

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin selagin-, selago, a plant resembling the savin

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

selaginella

noun

se·​lag·​i·​nel·​la sə-ˌlaj-ə-ˈnel-ə 

: any of a genus of plants that are related to the club mosses and have branching stems and scalelike leaves