Practical
Plants

Lycopodium selago

Fir Clubmoss

a member of the Lycopodium genus in the family Lycopodiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Height
0.25 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 is an active narcotic poison[4][6].

Edible uses

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

The plant is edible[2][5]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves

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.

The plant is hypnotic[6]. Chewing three stems is said to induce mild intoxication whilst eight can cause unconsciousness[6][8]. The plant has been used as a fast-acting emetic and purgative[10]. A poultice of the whole plant has been applied to the head in the treatment of headaches[10]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole plant, collected during the summer[11]. It is used as a laxative and to kill worms[11].

Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Analgesic

Material uses

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

The plant can be used as a mordant in dyeing[4].

Product or use
Mordant

Environment

Range
Arctic and N. temperate zone, including Britain, south to Spain, the Himalayas and Oregon.
Habitat
Usually in open habitats on heaths, moors, mountain grasslands, rock ledges and mountain tops to 1300 metres[3].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent 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[7]. The spores of this species are not functional, the plant reproduces only by gemmae[3]. Layering of growing tips[7].

Cultivation

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

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]. 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

    ↩

  2. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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