Japanese name: ヒカゲノカズラ（日陰葛） Scientific name:Lycopodium clavatum
[Overview]
An evergreen fern 5–15 cm tall, found in sunny, dry grasslands and similar places.
The main axis runs long along the ground, branches irregularly, and puts out roots here and there.
The side branches are erect and branch once to several times.
The leaves are linear to linear-lanceolate, 0.3–0.7 cm long, and spread out or rise obliquely.
The leaf tips are pointed, and the margin is entire or has minute teeth only at the tip.
The sporangial spikes are cylindrical, 2–10 cm long and 0.3–0.5 cm across, borne 3–6 at the tip of an erect, branching stalk 5–15 cm long.
The stalk bears small linear leaves.
The sporangial spikes have short stalks.
The sporophylls are broadly ovate.
[Uses]
The spores are called sekishoshi and are used medicinally, and are also used as a coating for pills.
The plant itself is used in Shinto rituals.
[Cultivation]
Grow it in an environment with high air humidity.
