Fir Clubmoss (Lycopodium selago)

Fir Clubmoss (Lycopodium selago)
Wikimedia Commons — User:Tigerente — CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

At a glance

Exposure
Full shade
Frost limit
−45.6 °C

Cultivation

Thrives in a rough spongy peat in a shady position. 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.

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.

Edible uses

The plant is edible. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal uses

The plant is hypnotic. A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole plant, collected during the summer.

Material uses

The plant can be used as a mordant in dyeing.

Habitat

Usually in open habitats on heaths, moors, mountain grasslands, rock ledges and mountain tops to 1300 metres.

Native range

Arctic and N. temperate zone, including Britain, south to Spain, the Himalayas and Oregon.

Same genus