Lycopodium clavatum Common club moss (Lycopodiaceae) Evergreen fern

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Lycopodium clavatum
Common club moss
Evergreen fern
(1 Page of 5)

The Lycopodium clavatum plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Lycopodiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Common club moss.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Lycopodium clavatum
Common Name:  Common club moss
Family:  Lycopodiaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The plant contains lycopodine, which is poisonous by paralizing the motor nerves[21, 218]. It also contains clavatine which is toxic to many mammals[218]. The spores, however, are not toxic[21].

Mature Height:  0.1   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Moorland, fields and pastures[7], it is rare in lowland areas[17].

Medicinal Information: A decoction of the plant is analgesic, antirheumatic, caminative, mildly diuretic, stomachic and tonic[4, 9, 13, 21, 46, 154, 172, 176, 218, 238]. It is used internally in the treatment of urinary and kidney disorders, rheumatic arthritis, catarrhal cystitis, gastritis etc[176, 238]. It is applied externally to skin diseases and irritations[238]. The plant can be harvested all year round and is used fresh or dried[238]. The spores of this plant are antipruritic, decongestant, diuretic and stomachic[4]. They are applied externally as a dusting powder to various skin diseases, to wounds or inhaled to stop bleeding noses[4, 7]. They can also be used to absorb fluids from injured tissues[213, 218]. The spores are harvested when ripe in late summer[9]. The spores can also be used as a dusting powder to prevent pills sticking together[4, 213]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the spores[232]. It has a wide range of applications including dry coughs, mumps and rheumatic pains[232, 238].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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