Stiff Club Moss

Lycopodium annotinum

Physical Characteristics

Lycopodium annotinum is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen from June to September. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

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

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

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