Ground Pine

This large, cosmopolitan genus consists of about 450 species of rhizomatous, evergreen, perennial clubmosses, which may be terrestrial or epiphytic in habit. They are primative plants, with small, scale- or needle-like leaves, reproducing by spores. Clubmoss spores are used in sound experiments, being so fine that they vibrate into patterns of sound waves, and also for stage effects and fireworks, since they are flammable. In ancient times the whole clubmoss plant was used as a diuretic and digestive. The use of the spores alone dates from the 17th century. According to Mrs. Grieve (A Modern Herbal, 1931), "they have a strong repulsive power, that if the hand is powdered with them, it can be dipped in water without becoming wet". This property is put to use in coating pills, to seal in any umpleasant taste, and to prevent them from sticking together. Lycopodium complanatum (American ground pine) has similar properties to L. clavatum and is often combined with Agrimonia eupatoria (See, agrimony) and Taraxacum officinale (See, dandelion) for liver complaints. Lycopodium cernuum is decocted in water or sweet wine for internal use in Chinese medicine and crushed for topical treatment of aches, pains, and spasms in the arms or legs. The Chinese L. serratum syn. Huperzia serrata is also used medicinally. Wild collection of Lycopodium species may be subject to restrictions in some areas.

Trailing perennial with erect, forked branches and upward-pointing, lanceolate, tapered leaves. Yellow spores are shed from upright, forked, club-shaped branches, which appear in summer.

Common Name:	Ground Pine
Other Names:	Stag's Horn Club Moss
Botanical Name:	Lycopodium clavatum
Genus:	Lycopodium
Family:	Lycopodiaceae
Cultivation:	Damp, acid soil in sun or shade.
Propagation:	By spores sown on damp sphagnum moss; by layering at any time.
Harvest:	Plants are cut all year round and used fresh, or dried for use in decoctions and infusions. Spores are shaken out into a sieve from plants cut in summer.
Native Location:	Native to alpine and arctic zones of both hemispheres, and montane areas in temperate and tropical regions.
Height:	12cm (5in)
Width:	1m (3ft)
Hardiness:	Z2-8
Parts Used:	Whole plant (shen jin cao), spores.
Properties:	A sedative, anti-bacterial herb that is diuretic, lowers fever, benefits the digestion, and stimulates the uterus.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for urinary and kidney disorders, catarrhal cystitis, gastritis, and in Chinese medicine for rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic injury. Externally for skin diseases and irritation. Spores are the basis for a homeopathic preparation for dry coughs, rheumatic pains, mumps, and complaints that characteristically cause pain or discomfort on the right side of the body.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 268