Huperzia lucidula
Shining firmoss
Huperzia lucidula, commonly known as lucidula firmoss, is a perennial clubmoss native to North America. Renowned in pharmacology, it contains the potent alkaloid huperzine A. This compound acts as a highly selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, showing significant potential in research for treating cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease symptoms.
- Scientific name: Huperzia lucidula
- Family: Lycopodiaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Lycopodiidae and the order Lycopodiales, it is a member of the family Lycopodiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Huperzia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Lycopodiidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lycopodiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lycopodiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Huperzia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Huperzia lucidula, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is called 亮叶石杉 (zh-Hans), 亮葉石杉 (zh-Hant), 亮葉石杉 (zh-HK), and 亮叶石杉 (zh). In Japanese, it is commonly known as クラブコケ (ja).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 亮叶石杉 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 亮葉石杉 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 亮葉石杉 | Wikidata |
| zh | 亮叶石杉 | Wikidata |
| ja | クラブコケ | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 亮叶石杉 | Wikidata |
| nb | Lypocodium lucidulum | Wikidata |
| nb | Huperzia selago ssp. lucidula | Wikidata |
| nb | Huperzia selago ssp lucidula | Wikidata |
| en | shining firmoss | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several Canadian provinces. In Western Canada, its presence is noted within the province of Manitoba. Moving to Eastern Canada, it can be found throughout Ontario. The species also inhabits the Atlantic provinces, specifically in New Brunswick. Additionally, its range extends to the islands of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Canada | Manitoba | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | New Brunswick | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Newfoundland | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Nova Scotia | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Ontario | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Prince Edward I. | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Québec | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Illinois | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Iowa | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Minnesota | WCVP |