Huperzia selago
Huperzia selago, commonly known as fir clubmoss, is a perennial lycopod found in acidic, moist habitats. Renowned for its pharmacological potential, this plant contains huperzine A, a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It is studied extensively for its neuroprotective properties and its ability to enhance cognitive function and memory.
- Scientific name: Huperzia selago
- Family: Lycopodiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Lycopodiidae, it is classified under the order Lycopodiales and the family Lycopodiaceae. Finally, it is identified by 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 is known by various names depending on the region and language, such as Wroniec widlasty in Polish, а also Баранец звычайны in Belarusian. In Russian, it is referred to as Баранец обыкновенный, while in Catalan, it is called Licopodi selago, and in Finnish, its common name is ketunlieko.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Wroniec widlasty | Wikidata |
| be | Баранец звычайны | Wikidata |
| ru | Баранец обыкновенный | Wikidata |
| ca | Licopodi selago | Wikidata |
| fi | ketunlieko | Wikidata |
| uk | Плаун баранець | Wikidata |
| et | harilik ungrukold | Wikidata |
| de | Tannenbärlapp | Wikidata |
| cs | vranec jedlový | Wikidata |
| az | Quzu plaunu | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern focused primarily across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing in the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its presence extends to the island of Iceland and the archipelago of the Faroe Islands. Additionally, the species is documented within the territory of Great Britain. Overall, these locations highlight its preference for northern European climates.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Svalbard | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
Chemicals
Huperzia selago has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cermizine B, Coumarins, Lycopodine, Lycoposerramine-G, Serratidine.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cermizine B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lycopodine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lycoposerramine-G | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Serratidine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| annopodine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fawcettimine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flabelline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| huperzine A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| huperzine B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Huperzia selago has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Huperzia selago has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, DNA damage, apoptosis, neurodegenerative disorders, oxidative damage.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DNA damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apoptosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |