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Common Name: Ground Pine

General Information

Lycopodium complanatum is a Evergreen Fern up to 0.05 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Europe to E. Asia and northern N. America.

Habitat

Moist coniferous woods, from lowlands to moderate elevations in the mountains of Western N. America[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Fern
Height	0.05 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Thrives in a rough spongy peat in a shady position[]. Requires a humid atmosphere[].
Terrestrial members of this genus are hard to establish. The roots are delicate and liable to rot, most water being absorbed through the foliage[].
The plant has an aromatic resinous smell[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].
Although looking more like a moss, this genus is closely related to the ferns[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

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

Other Uses

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

The following uses are for L. clavatum. They quite possibly also apply to this species[].

The spores are water repellent and can be used as a dusting powder to stop things sticking together[, ]. They are also used as a talcum powder and for dressing moulds in iron foundries[]. They can also be used as explosives in fireworks and for artificial lightning[, , , , ].
The stems are made into matting[].

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[].
Layering of growing tips[].