Practical
Plants

Botrychium lunaria

Common Moonwort

a member of the Botrychium genus in the family Ophioglossaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Height
0.1 m

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Moonwort has a long reputation as a vulnerary herb, the leaves are used externally as an ointment or taken internally[6][5]. They are also used in the treatment of ruptures and dysentery[5].

Environment

Range
Widely distributed in arctic and temperate zones of Europe, Asia and Australasia.
Habitat
Dry grassland and rock ledges[2], usually on peaty soils[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Spores - best surface sown as soon as they are ripe in a greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. Placing the pot in a plastic bag helps to maintain a humid atmosphere which promotes germination and growth. Prick out small clumps into pots when they are large enough to handle and keep moist until established. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter and plant out in late spring. Division. It is best not to try and disturb this plant[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist free-draining soil[1]. The prothalli (small plants formed when the spores germinate) of this species form a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus in much the same way as orchid seedlings[3]. Plants can be hard to establish, they can be naturalized in a meadow or cultivated in the border where they should be left undisturbed[3]. Unlike most species of ferns, the fronds of this species grow up straight and not curled inward, crozier fashion[6]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  5. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

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