Lycopodium caesium Hort.
A creeping perennial fern ally, with bluish foliage turning brown if exposed to too much light. To 15cm. A more upright variety, arboreum, is also recorded, which see. [JD].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Introduced to Britain in 1845. [JD].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.136/1850]. Probably one of a number of plants received from Captain Simpson in late 1849 or early 1850, apparently on the same ship as those accompanying Captain P. P. King. On the confirmnatory list sent to King It is recorded as Lycopodium sp. (caesium?). The source is unclear. [ML A1980-3].
Notes
The identity of this plant, recogised in Johnson’s Dictionary as originating in China but not recorded in IPNI, remains unclear and I have found no other references to Lycopodium caesium. A handwritten note in a copy of the 1850 catalogue in the Mitchell Library collection appears to clarify the name of this plant as Lycopodium umbrosum, a synonym of Lycopodium myrtifolium G.Forst. which see. The copy of the catalogue is inscribed on the front Wm. Macarthur 23rd Dec. 1854. [ML 635.9m].
Published Feb 11, 2009 - 02:41 PM | Last updated Jul 25, 2010 - 04:39 PM
| Family | Lycopodiaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | China |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Club moss |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Lycopodium caesium |
| Confidence level | low |