Practical
Plants

Lycopodium annotinum

Stiff Club Moss

an evergreen member of the Lycopodium genus in the family Lycopodiaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.5 m
Spread
1 m

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

The plant contains lycopodine, which is poisonous by paralysing the motor nerves[4][5]. It also contains clavatine which is toxic to many mammals[5]. The spores, however, are not toxic[4].

Material uses

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

The plant has been mixed with clay and used to fill the gaps between logs in log cabins[7]. The plant has been mixed with potting compost to act as a fertilizer and make plants growing in it healthier[7].

Environment

Range
Arctic and N. temperate zone, including Britain, south to Spain, the Himalayas and Oregon.
Habitat
Moors on mountains from 50 - 800 metres in northern Britain[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
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 sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position. The spores are generally produced in abundance but are difficult to grow successfully[3]. Layering of growing tips[3].

Cultivation

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

Thrives in a rough spongy peat[1]. Requires a humid atmosphere[3]. Terrestrial members of this genus are hard to establish. The roots are delicate and liable to rot, most water being absorbed through the foliage[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[6]. Although looking more like a moss, this genus is closely related to the ferns[3].

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↩5

  4. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

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