Lycopodium complanatum : Ground Cedar

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Pteridophyta (spore bearing)

Class: Lycopodiopsida (club-moss class)

Family: Lycopodiaceae (Club-moss Family)

Genera: Lycopodium (Club-moss) (Gk.Lyco=wolf+podos=foot in reference to either the branch shoot tips or the roots to a wolfs paw.)

Species: complanatum (Lat. complano = to level, refering to the flattened branches.)

Synonym(s): Diphasiastrum compla

English Name(s):

Ground Cedar, Flat Branched Club-moss

First Nation Names:

Structure:

• Has horizontal stems mostly below ground.
• Stems flattened, will not roll between your fingers.
• Upright stems to 20cm high, with much-forked branches.

Leaves:

• Scale-like (cedar-like), partially fused to stem, in 4 vertical rows.

Reproductive Parts:

• Peduncled (on stalk) strobili (sporecone)

Seed:

Not to Be Confused With:

• L. alpinum (Alpine club-moss). L. complanatum is distinguished by peduncled strobili, usually more erect structure, and flat branches which will not roll between your fingers.

Physiology:

Life Cycle:

• Perennial

Seasonal Cycle:

• Evergreen
• Has spore-producing strobili in mid-July.

Animal Uses:

Habitat:

• Open woodlands, clearings, thickets, heathland, and rocky slopes.

Modern:

Industrial:

• Plant has been used as a mordant to set certain dyes.

Medicinal:

• The spores were used as a dusting powder in the drug trade, protecting abrading surfaces, and preventing pills from sticking together.

Food:

Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Other:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

• It was said that if the spores were boiled, the decoction would both kill lice and improve bad wine.
• Plant was dried, powdered, and used to make a tea to increase urine production, stimulate menstrual flow, and relieve spasms.
• The tea was said to be useful for correcting 'female complaints', and was said to stimulate sexual desire.

Food: