Practical
Plants

Lycopodium campanulatum

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

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.

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, a number of other members of this genus are said to be toxic and so some caution is advised.

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.

The plant is hypnotic[6]. Chewing three stems is said to induce mild intoxication whilst eight can cause unconsciousness[6][8].

Product or use
Hypnotic

Material uses

The spores are water repellent and can be used as a dusting powder to stop things sticking together[3][4]. They are also used as a talcum powder and for dressing moulds in iron foundries[13]. They can also be used as explosives in fireworks and for artificial lightning[10][11][2][4]. The plant can be used as a mordant in dyeing[5].

Product or use
Mordant

Environment

Range
Western N. America.
Habitat
Moist coniferous woods, lowland to moderate elevations in mountains.
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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[7]. Layering of growing tips[7].

Cultivation

Thrives in a rough spongy peat in a shady position[1]. Requires a humid atmosphere[7]. Terrestrial members of this genus are hard to establish. The roots are delicate and liable to rot, most water being absorbed through the foliage[7]. There is some doubt as to the correct spelling of this species name. I have a feeling that it could be a mis-spelling of L. complanatum. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[9]. Although looking more like a moss, this genus is closely related to the ferns[7].

References

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

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  2. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

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  3. Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x

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  4. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

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  6. Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

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

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  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  11. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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  12. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

  13. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

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