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Lycopodium obscurum
  • Ground Pine

a member of the Lycopodium genus in the family Lycopodiaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Lycopodium obscurum has 0 material uses listed
Lycopodium obscurum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant contains lycopodine, which is poisonous by paralysing the motor nerves[1][2]. It also contains clavatine which is toxic to many mammals[2]. The spores, however, are not toxic[1].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Lycopodium obscurum.

Material uses

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[5]. They can also be used as explosives in fireworks and for artificial lightning[6][7][8][4][9]. The plant can be used as a mordant in dyeing[10].

The stems are made into matting[6].

Unknown part

Mordant
Weaving

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The plant is analgesic, antispasmodic, blood tonic, diuretic and tonic[2][11]. A decoction has been used as a herbal steam in the treatment of rheumatism[11].

The spores of this plant are dusted on wounds or inhaled to stop bleeding noses. They can also be used to absorb fluids from injured tissues[9][2][11].

The spores can be used as a dusting powder to prevent pills sticking together[9].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Antispasmodic
Diuretic
Styptic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[12]. Layering of growing tips[12].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lycopodium obscurum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Thrives in a rough spongy peat in a shady position[13]. Requires a humid atmosphere[12].

Terrestrial members of this genus are hard to establish. The roots are delicate and liable to rot, most water being absorbed through the foliage[12]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[14].

Although looking more like a moss, this genus is closely related to the ferns[12].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lycopodium obscurum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Lycopodium obscurum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lycopodium obscurum
Genus
Lycopodium
Family
Lycopodiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[2][11][9]
Material uses & Functions
[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Botanic
[15][12][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.45 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    8. ? 8.08.1 Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books ISBN 0-394-72811-4 (1979-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    13. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    14. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    15. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-60
    16. ? [Flora of N. America] ()

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-235" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


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    Facts about "Lycopodium obscurum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLycopodiaceae +
    Belongs to genusLycopodium +
    Has common nameGround Pine +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useMordant + and Weaving +
    Has mature height0.45 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Antispasmodic +, Diuretic +, Styptic + and Tonic +
    Has search namelycopodium obscurum + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferencePartial sun +
    Has taxonomy nameLycopodium obscurum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +