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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lycopodium selago is a FERN growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor 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

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

The plant is edible[161, 177]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

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 Emetic Homeopathy Hypnotic Purgative

The plant is hypnotic[192]. Chewing three stems is said to induce mild intoxication whilst eight can cause unconsciousness[192, 213]. The plant has been used as a fast-acting emetic and purgative[257]. A poultice of the whole plant has been applied to the head in the treatment of headaches[257]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole plant, collected during the summer[9]. It is used as a laxative and to kill worms[9].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Mordant

The plant can be used as a mordant in dyeing[172].

Special Uses

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]. 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]. The spores of this species are not functional, the plant reproduces only by gemmae[17]. Layering of growing tips[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Japan NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, Minnesota, Wisconsin) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Russian Federation (Karelia, Neneckij avtonomnyj okrug), Greece, Spain

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 complanatum	Ground Pine, Groundcedar	Fern	0.1	3-7	LM	FS	M	0	3	2
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 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 selago - L.