| Herb Of the Moon - February 24th Club Moss |
Club Moss (Lycopodium clavatum)
Plants are amazing Beings. They grow in every climate and terrain, and
nearly every altitude and continent of the world. They grow in the worst of
weather. Some even continue growing right under the snow. One such
plant is club moss. Although not looking the part of what most of us have
come to identify as “moss”, club moss is a broad term that actually refers to
many plants belonging to the club moss family. The club moss family
contains two genera worldwide and 450 species. The Lycopodium genus is
the only one native to North America.
The club mosses grow in wooded areas NY to NC and west to Wisconsin. In
our area these plants rarely grow beyond 4" in height unlike their ancient
descendants that grew to heights of 100 feet! I love hiking in the Catskills
when the snow is still on the ground (often as late as April and May) to find
club mosses beneath the snow green and thriving. It reminds me that even
when it doesn't appear that anything is happening on the surface, much is
often going on underneath the surface.
Used externally, club mosses can truly be a hiker’s friend. One of the
properties of club moss is that it is styptic and will staunch the bleeding of a
minor external wound. More research is needed on some of the alkaloids
found in this plant so this herb is best used externally.
Plants are amazing Beings. They grow in every climate and terrain, and
nearly every altitude and continent of the world. They grow in the worst of
weather. Some even continue growing right under the snow. One such
plant is club moss. Although not looking the part of what most of us have
come to identify as “moss”, club moss is a broad term that actually refers to
many plants belonging to the club moss family. The club moss family
contains two genera worldwide and 450 species. The Lycopodium genus is
the only one native to North America.
The club mosses grow in wooded areas NY to NC and west to Wisconsin. In
our area these plants rarely grow beyond 4" in height unlike their ancient
descendants that grew to heights of 100 feet! I love hiking in the Catskills
when the snow is still on the ground (often as late as April and May) to find
club mosses beneath the snow green and thriving. It reminds me that even
when it doesn't appear that anything is happening on the surface, much is
often going on underneath the surface.
Used externally, club mosses can truly be a hiker’s friend. One of the
properties of club moss is that it is styptic and will staunch the bleeding of a
minor external wound. More research is needed on some of the alkaloids
found in this plant so this herb is best used externally.
None of the above statements is intended to treat, diagnose or
cure any illness. Please consult with your health care
practitioner before taking any herbal supplements.
cure any illness. Please consult with your health care
practitioner before taking any herbal supplements.