Practical
Plants

Lycopodium complanatum

Ground Pine

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Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.05 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.

The plant contains lycopodine, which is poisonous by paralysing the motor nerves[7][9]. It also contains clavatine which is toxic to many mammals[9]. The spores, however, are not toxic[7].

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.

A decoction of the plant is analgesic, antirheumatic, carminative, mildly diuretic, stomachic and tonic[14][9][12]. It is used internally in the treatment of urinary and kidney disorders, catarrhal cystitis, gastritis etc[12]. It is applied externally to skin diseases and irritations[12]. The plant can be harvested all year round and is used fresh or dried[12]. The spores of this plant are antipruritic, decongestant, diuretic and stomachic[14]. They are applied externally as a dusting powder to various skin diseases, to wounds or inhaled to stop bleeding noses[14][18]. They can also be used to absorb fluids from injured tissues[8][9]. The spores are harvested when ripe in late summer[20]. The spores can also be used as a dusting powder to prevent pills sticking together[14][8]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the spores[10]. It has a wide range of applications including dry coughs, mumps and rheumatic pains[10][12].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

The plant can be used as a mordant in dyeing[5][13]. The following uses are for L. clavatum. They quite possibly also apply to this species[K]. 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[19]. They can also be used as explosives in fireworks and for artificial lightning[15][16][2][4][8]. The stems are made into matting[15].

Product or use
Mordant
Product or use
Weaving

Environment

Range
Europe to E. Asia and northern N. America.
Habitat
Moist coniferous woods, from lowlands to moderate elevations in the mountains of Western N. America[17].
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[6]. Layering of growing tips[6].

Cultivation

Thrives in a rough spongy peat in a shady position[1]. Requires a humid atmosphere[6]. Terrestrial members of this genus are hard to establish. The roots are delicate and liable to rot, most water being absorbed through the foliage[6]. The plant has an aromatic resinous smell[14]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[11]. Although looking more like a moss, this genus is closely related to the ferns[6].

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3

    ↩1↩2

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

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  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2

  16. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩

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

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  18. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

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

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  20. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

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