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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lycopodium complanatum is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3.
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.
Analgesic Miscellany Tonic Urinary

A decoction of the plant is analgesic, antirheumatic, carminative, mildly diuretic, stomachic and tonic[4, 218, 238]. It is used internally in the treatment of urinary and kidney disorders, catarrhal cystitis, gastritis etc[238]. It is applied externally to skin diseases and irritations[238]. The plant can be harvested all year round and is used fresh or dried[238]. The spores of this plant are antipruritic, decongestant, diuretic and stomachic[4]. They are applied externally as a dusting powder to various skin diseases, to wounds or inhaled to stop bleeding noses[4, 7]. They can also be used to absorb fluids from injured tissues[213, 218]. The spores are harvested when ripe in late summer[9]. The spores can also be used as a dusting powder to prevent pills sticking together[4, 213]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the spores[232]. It has a wide range of applications including dry coughs, mumps and rheumatic pains[232, 238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Miscellany Mordant Weaving

The plant can be used as a mordant in dyeing[172, 257]. 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 stems are made into matting[46].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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]. The plant has an aromatic resinous smell[4]. 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

Temperature Converter

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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

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Shikoku) NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), Greenland, United States (Alaska, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Russian Federation (Karelia, Neneckij avtonomnyj okrug, Saratov), Ukraine, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France

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	Other
Lycopodium annotinum	Stiff Club Moss	Fern	0.5	-	LM	SN	M	0	0	2
Lycopodium campanulatum		Fern	0.0	3-7	LM	FS	M	0	1	1
Lycopodium clavatum	Common Club Moss, Running clubmoss	Fern	0.1	10-12	LM	FS	M	0	3	3
Lycopodium lucidulum	Shining Club Moss	Fern	0.2	4-8	LM	FS	M	1	0	1
Lycopodium obscurum	Ground Pine, Rare clubmoss	Fern	0.5	3-7	LM	FS	M	0	2	2
Lycopodium selago	Fir Clubmoss	Fern	0.3	-	LM	FS	M	1	2	1
Lycopodium serratum	Club Moss	Fern	0.1	-	LM	FS	M	0	2	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.

Lycopodium complanatum - L.