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Common Name: Ground Pine

General Information

Lycopodium obscurum is a Fern up to 0.45 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

Northern N. America and E. Asia - China, Japan and Siberia.

Habitat

Moist woodlands[]. Rich hardwood forests and successional shrubby areas from sea level to 1600 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Fern
Height	0.45 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

None known

Medicinal

The plant is analgesic, antispasmodic, blood tonic, diuretic and tonic[, ]. A decoction has been used as a herbal steam in the treatment of rheumatism[].
The spores of this plant are dusted on wounds or inhaled to stop bleeding noses. They can also be used to absorb fluids from injured tissues[, , ].
The spores can be used as a dusting powder to prevent pills sticking together[].

Other Uses

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