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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Botrychium lunaria is a FERN growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. The seeds ripen from June to August.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Meadow; East Wall. In. West Wall. In.

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.
Dysentery

Moonwort has a long reputation as a vulnerary herb, the leaves are used externally as an ointment or taken internally[4, 240]. They are also used in the treatment of ruptures and dysentery[240].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist free-draining soil[1]. The prothalli (small plants formed when the spores germinate) of this species form a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus in much the same way as orchid seedlings[200]. Plants can be hard to establish, they can be naturalized in a meadow or cultivated in the border where they should be left undisturbed[200]. Unlike most species of ferns, the fronds of this species grow up straight and not curled inward, crozier fashion[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Spores - best surface sown as soon as they are ripe in a greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. Placing the pot in a plastic bag helps to maintain a humid atmosphere which promotes germination and growth. Prick out small clumps into pots when they are large enough to handle and keep moist until established. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter and plant out in late spring. Division. It is best not to try and disturb this plant[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation (Altay, Buryatia, Hanty-Mansijskij avtonomnyj okrug, Jamalo-Neneckij avtonomnyj okrug, Krasnoyarsk, Omsk, Yakutia-Sakha), Kazakhstan (Alma-Ata, Aqmola oblysy, East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar oblysy, Soltüstik Qazaqstan oblysy, Zhambyl), Kyrgyzstan (Ysyk-Köl), Russian Federation (Habarovskij kraj, Primorye, Kamcatskij kraj, Sakhalin), China (Gansu Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng), Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu), Korea, South, Korea, North, Taiwan NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Nunavut), Greenland, United States (Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah) AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory), New Zealand EUROPE: Denmark, Faroe Islands, United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Russian Federation (Karelia, Udmurtia, Leningradskaja oblast, Moscow, Murmansk, Penza, Saratov, Smolensk, Tambov, Volgogradskaja oblast), Ukraine (Krym, Kharkiv), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France AFRICA: Morocco

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal
Botrychium australe	Parsley Fern	Fern	0.5	-	LM	SN	M	1	0
Botrychium ternatum		Fern	0.3	-	LM	SN	M	2	2
Botrychium virginianum	Rattlesnake Fern	Fern	0.4	-	LM	SN	M	1	2

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.

Botrychium lunaria - (L.)Sw.