A very rare plant has been discovered in the beautiful Barot Valley of Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The name of this plant is Lycopodium Japonica, which is also commonly known as ‘Clubmoss’ or ‘Wolf Fat.’ The credit for this discovery goes to Dr. Sunil Kumar Verma, assistant professor and well-known pteridologist of DAV College, Hoshiarpur. He has found this species in Himachal after about 20 years of intensive research.
What is Lycopodium Japonica?
This plant is mainly found in China, Japan and South-East Asian countries. In India too, it is said to be found in some parts of Uttarakhand, but it has been found for the first time in Himachal. This plant thrives at an altitude of 1,800 to 2,000 meters or more. A cool and moist environment is very important for it to grow. Often it grows in acidic soil near rivers and lakes.
Storehouse of medicinal properties
Lycopodium japonica is known for its medicinal properties. In homeopathy, it is used to make many types of medicines. It is considered very beneficial for skin diseases and digestive problems. Experts believe that it is also a panacea for liver related diseases. Potassium is also found in it, which is helpful in reducing infection and inflammation.
It is said that during the First World War, soldiers used this plant to light up at night. Apart from this, they also used it to treat their skin diseases. As its medicinal importance was discovered, its demand increased rapidly. But, due to continuous climate change and excessive use, this species has gradually come to the verge of extinction.
According to Dr. Sunil Verma, Indian Fern Journal and renowned pteridologist Professor SP Khullar have also confirmed this discovery. Finding this rare plant in Himachal is an important achievement in the field of botany. This shows that the biodiversity of Himachal still holds many secrets that are yet to be discovered.
