Practical
Plants

Polytrichum juniperinum

Hair-Cap Moss

a perennial evergreen member of the Polytrichum genus in the family Polytrichaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen

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.

The whole herb is powerfully diuretic[2][3]. An infusion is an excellent remedy in dropsy, especially when used with hydrogogue cathartics[2]. It is also very useful in the treatment of urinary obstructions, gravel etc, causing no nausea and suitable for long-term use[2].

Product or use
Diuretic

Environment

Range
Britain.
Habitat
Dry acidic soils on heaths, rocks and walls.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
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 plants are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position.

Cultivation

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

We have no details of the cultivation needs of this plant[K], it grows wild on dry acidic soils on heaths, rocks and walls[1].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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