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Polytrichum juniperinum

Common name:	Hair-Cap Moss	Family:	Polytrichaceae
Author:	Willd.	Botanical references:
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Britain.
Habitat:	Dry acidic soils on heaths, rocks and walls.
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	P. apiculatum[P] P. juniperinum var. waghornei[P]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Juniper Polytrichum Moss [P],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	polytrichum = many hairs;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Polytrichales.

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen perennial. . It is in leaf all year. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

In Walls, In East Wall, In West Wall.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Diuretic.

The whole herb is powerfully diuretic[4, 61]. An infusion is an excellent remedy in dropsy, especially when used with hydrogogue cathartics[4]. It is also very useful in the treatment of urinary obstructions, gravel etc, causing no nausea and suitable for long-term use[4].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

We have no details of the cultivation needs of this plant[K], it grows wild on dry acidic soils on heaths, rocks and walls[17].

Propagation

Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the plants are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

Readers Comments

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Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Polytrichum+juniperinum
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Polytrichum+juniperinum

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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.