Common Name:

General Information

Selaginella tamariscina is an evergreen, perennial plant that can grow in the soil or on rocks. The densely tufted stems are 4 - 15cm long, branched nearly to the base. They form a rosette, the stems and roots entangled to form a tree-like trunk that can exceptionally be 45cm long[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea, northeast India, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines..

Habitat

Shaded rocks all over Japan[]. Common on limestone rocks; at elevations from 100 - 2,100 metres, though mainly at 500 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Selaginella tamariscina is found from the temperate zone to the tropics.
Established plants are very drought resistant[, ].
This is a curious fern; when dry, the fronds, particularly the young ones, contract or roll up like the claws of a bird or like a miniature Cypress tree and become yellowish-brown; and when moistened, they spread out again and assume a green colour[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[].

Medicinal

The whole plant is astringent and haemostatic[]. A decoction is used in the treatment of traumatic bleeding, haemoptysis in pulmonary disease, gastro-intestinal bleeding, metrorrhagia, haematuria, persistence of post-partum lochial discharge, rectal prolapse and leucorrhoea[, ]. The plant is also used in the treatment of coughs, prolapse of the rectum, gravel, and old people’s complaints. Because the plant never seems to die, it is considered to have the property of prolonging life[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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