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Lycopodium serratum - Thunb.

Common Name Club Moss
Family Lycopodiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The plant contains lycopodine, which is poisonous by paralysing the motor nerves[21, 218]. It also contains clavatine which is toxic to many mammals[218]. The spores, however, are not toxic[21].
Habitats Not known
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Lycopodium serratum Club Moss


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Keisotyo
Lycopodium serratum Club Moss

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of fern
Lycopodium serratum is a FERN growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic  Diuretic  Miscellany  Women's complaints

A decoction of the plant is antispasmodic and diuretic, it is also used in the treatment of irregular menstruation[218]. 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[213, 218]. The spores can be used as a dusting powder to prevent pills sticking together[213].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Miscellany  Mordant  Weaving

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[106, 171]. They are also used as a talcum powder and for dressing moulds in iron foundries[74]. They can also be used as explosives in fireworks and for artificial lightning[46, 57, 102, 171, 213]. The plant can be used as a mordant in dyeing[172]. The stems are made into matting[46].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little cultivation information on this species and do not know if it will succeed outdoors in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Thrives in a rough spongy peat in a shady position[1]. Requires a humid atmosphere[200]. Terrestrial members of this genus are hard to establish. The roots are delicate and liable to rot, most water being absorbed through the foliage[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Although looking more like a moss, this genus is closely related to the ferns[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant 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[200]. Layering of growing tips[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lycopodium annotinumStiff Club MossFern0.5 -  LMSNM002
Lycopodium campanulatum Fern0.0 3-7  LMFSM011
Lycopodium clavatumCommon Club Moss, Running clubmossFern0.1 10-12  LMFSM033
Lycopodium complanatumGround Pine, GroundcedarFern0.1 3-7  LMFSM032
Lycopodium lucidulumShining Club MossFern0.2 4-8  LMFSM101
Lycopodium obscurumGround Pine, Rare clubmossFern0.5 3-7  LMFSM022
Lycopodium selagoFir ClubmossFern0.3 -  LMFSM121

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Thunb.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Rick Harig   Wed, 04 Nov 1998 16:47:45

Mr. Morris,

I have been doing research on this topic, Huperzia serrata, at least a component, of this club moss. You may be interested in checking on further medicinal properties of Huperzine A.. It is being investigated as a memory enhancer and a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease. I'm not sure of the requirements you have in listing properties of plants but you may wish to check it out. I came across your page through a biochem link and was in search of a picture for my senior seminar on Huperzine A. Nobody seems to have much info on the topic, but thanks for the info your page provided.

thanks again, Rick Harig

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