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Common Name: Shining Club Moss

General Information

Lycopodium lucidulum is a Fern up to 0.15 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, a number of other members of this genus are said to be toxic and so some caution is advised.

Botanical References

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Range

N. America - Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to South Carolina, Iowa and Tennessee.

Habitat

Cool woods from Newfoundland to Ontario and southwards.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Fern
Height	0.15 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[].
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

The plant is edible[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

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

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[].