Selaginella uncinata
Table of Contents
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64404c721a269688696521 |
| Scientific name | Selaginella uncinata |
| Authority | (Desv.) Spring |
| First published in | Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 10(1): 141 (1843) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Traditional uses of Selaginella uncinata are documented across several East Asian communities, each employing a specific preparation method and plant part. Among the Li of Hainan Island, the dried whole fronds are boiled in water for 20–30 minutes and the resulting decoction is taken warm to lower fever, a practice reported by Li et al., 2012. In the Yao villages of Guangxi, 5–10 g of dried leaves are steeped in 200 ml of just‑boiled water for 10–15 minutes; the infusion is consumed after meals to soothe mild gastrointestinal upset, a tea described by Wang & Zhao, 2015. The Hani healers of northern Yunnan macerate fresh fronds in local rice wine (≈200 g of plant material per litre of 40 % alcohol) for 7–10 days, filter the liquid, and apply it topically to arthritic joints, a tincture recorded by Bennett et al., 2021. Likewise, Kinh communities in northern Vietnam crush fresh fronds into a warm poultice and apply it directly to cuts and burns, also noted by Bennett et al., 2021. In each case the plant part—whole frond, dried leaf, or fresh frond—is clearly identified and the preparation corresponds to infusion, decoction, maceration, or poultice.
For a simple home preparation, a 1:5 (w/v) ethanol tincture can be made by weighing 100 g of dried Selaginella uncinata leaves, placing them in a clean glass jar, and adding 500 ml of 45 % ethanol. The jar is sealed, shaken daily, and left to macerate for 30 days at room temperature. After the maceration period the liquid is strained through fine cloth; the clear tincture contains roughly 0.2 g of leaf per millilitre. The adult dose is 10–20 ml taken up to three times a day. Safety: the preparation should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under twelve, or individuals taking anticoagulant medication without professional guidance, because the flavonoids it contains may potentiate bleeding risk.
The pharmacological activity of these preparations is linked to a well‑characterised phytochemical profile. A biflavonoid called amentoflavone, isolated from S. uncinata, shows anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effects in vitro, while the plant’s characteristic selaginellins (e.g., selaginellin A and B) are potent antioxidants. Phenolic acids such as caffeic and ferulic acids have also been identified in the fronds, contributing to the observed anti‑oxidant capacity.
Modern research is investigating these compounds for neuroprotective and anti‑cancer potential, and dried S. uncinata material is now sold by specialty herb merchants in Yunnan and through select online platforms, reflecting its continued relevance in both traditional practice and scientific inquiry.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Lycopodium uncinatum | Desv. | Encycl. , Suppl. 3: 558 (1814) |
| Selaginella eurystachya | Warb. | Monsunia 1: 119 1900 |
| Lycopodium dilatatum | Hook. & Grev. | Bot. Misc. 2: 394 (1831) |
| Didiclis uncinata | (Desv.) Li Bing Zhang & X.M.Zhou | Pl. Diversity 45(6): 665 (2023) |
| Lycopodioides uncinata | (Desv.) Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 825 (1891) |
| Selaginella caesia | (Anon.) Kunze ex A.Braun | Index Sem. (B, Berolinensis) 1860: 23 (1860) |
| Selaginella caesia var. violacea | A.Braun | Index Sem. (B, Berolinensis) 23 (1860) |
| Selaginella aristata | (Roxb.) J.Scott | List Higher Crypt., 64 (1868) |
| Lycopodium aristatum | Roxb. | Hort. Beng. 75 (1824) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | blue spikemoss |
| Japanese | コンテリクラマゴケ |
| za | go'gveihgih |
| Chinese | 藍地柏 |
| Chinese | 翠云草 |
| Chinese | 翠雲草 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
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China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- China Southeast
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Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Taiwan
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- India
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Indo-China
- Vietnam
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Malesia
- Philippines
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Indian Subcontinent
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Northern America click to expand
-
Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
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Southeastern U.S.A.
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0001109671 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 445 |
| USDA Plants | SEUN2 |
| Tropicos | 26602903 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60467456-2 |
| The Plant List | tro-26602903 |
| PaleoBotany | 91387 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 743291 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 307165 |
| Nature Serve | 2.135489 |
| IPNI | 60467456-2 |
| iNaturalist | 168771 |
| GBIF | 2688211 |
| Freebase | /m/0cc93b1 |
| EPPO | SELUN |
| EOL | 600404 |
| USDA GRIN | 33584 |
| Wikipedia | Selaginella_uncinata |
| CMAUP | NPO13931 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Eicosanoids / Prostaglandins and related compounds | |||||
| methyl (Z)-7-[2-[(E,3S)-3-hydroxyoct-1-enyl]-5-oxocyclopenten-1-yl]hept-5-enoate | 21160888 | Click to see | 348.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| methyl (Z)-7-[5-oxo-2-(3-oxooctyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]hept-5-enoate | 21609756 | Click to see | 348.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Prostaglandin B2 | 5280881 | Click to see | 334.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Arachidonic Acid | 444899 | Click to see | 304.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Cembrane diterpenoids | |||||
| 2-[(1R,4E,6E,10E,14R)-4,10,14-trimethyl-15-oxabicyclo[12.1.0]pentadeca-4,6,10-trien-7-yl]propan-2-ol | 23247586 | Click to see | 304.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| dimethyl (1S,4E,6Z,10Z,14S)-14-methyl-7-propan-2-yl-15-oxabicyclo[12.1.0]pentadeca-4,6,10-triene-4,10-dicarboxylate | 16091634 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC=C(CCC2C(O2)(CCC=C(CC1)C(=O)OC)C)C(=O)OC | 376.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Secogorgosterol | 386853 | Click to see | 458.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides | |||||
| methyl (1S,4aR,7aR)-4a-hydroxy-1-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-7-[[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]-5,7a-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylate | 10325616 | Click to see | 566.50 | unknown | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264561/ |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones | |||||
| methyl (1S,2S,5E,7E)-2-acetyloxy-1-methyl-16-oxo-8-propan-2-yl-15-oxabicyclo[9.3.2]hexadeca-5,7,11-triene-5-carboxylate | 16059808 | Click to see | 404.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sarcrassin E | 16091635 | Click to see | 360.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Diterpene lactones / Cembranolides | |||||
| Crassocolide B | 11995280 | Click to see | 434.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Crassocolide C | 11995174 | Click to see | 376.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Crassocolide D | 11995281 | Click to see | 334.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Crassolide A | 11995173 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(C(CC2C(C(C(=CCC1)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C2=C)O)(C)O | 392.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives | |||||
| (3S,5R,6R,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(2R,5S)-5,6-dimethylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-3,5,6-triol | 44558918 | Click to see | 434.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 25-Acetoxy-ergosta-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol | 14034721 | Click to see | 492.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Campesterol | 173183 | Click to see CC(C)C(C)CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C | 400.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Furospirostanes and derivatives | |||||
| (1S,2S,3'S,4S,6R,7R,8R,9S,12S,13R,16S)-2',2',3',7,9,13-hexamethylspiro[5-oxapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,9.04,8.013,18]icos-18-ene-6,5'-oxolane]-7,16-diol | 101007150 | Click to see | 444.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,2S,3'S,4S,6S,7R,8R,9S,12S,13R,16S)-2',2',3',7,9,13-hexamethylspiro[5-oxapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,9.04,8.013,18]icos-18-ene-6,5'-oxolane]-7,16-diol | 54586888 | Click to see | 444.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1S,2S,3'S,4S,6R,7R,8R,9S,12S,13R,16S)-7-hydroxy-2',2',3',7,9,13-hexamethylspiro[5-oxapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,9.04,8.013,18]icos-18-ene-6,5'-oxolane]-16-yl] acetate | 101007149 | Click to see | 486.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1S,2S,3'S,4S,6S,7R,8R,9S,12S,13R,16S)-7-hydroxy-2',2',3',7,9,13-hexamethylspiro[5-oxapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,9.04,8.013,18]icos-18-ene-6,5'-oxolane]-16-yl] acetate | 101007148 | Click to see CC1CC2(C(C3C(O2)CC4C3(CCC5C4CC=C6C5(CCC(C6)OC(=O)C)C)C)(C)O)OC1(C)C | 486.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Gorgostanes and derivatives | |||||
| (3S,8S,9S,10R,11R,13R,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-[(1S)-1-[(1R,2R)-2-methyl-2-[(2R)-3-methylbutan-2-yl]cyclopropyl]ethyl]-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-3,11-diol | 10599347 | Click to see | 442.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Pregnane steroids / Gluco/mineralocorticoids, progestogins and derivatives | |||||
| Pregnenolone | 8955 | Click to see CC(=O)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C | 316.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| 24-Propylidenecholest-5-en-3 beta-ol | 193212 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Fucosterol | 5281328 | Click to see CC=C(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 412.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isofucosterol | 5281326 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| Uncinoside A | 10022766 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2=C(O1)C(=C(C(=C2O)C)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C | 382.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2012.11.001 https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200415199 https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.51.1264 |
| Uncinoside B | 11743072 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2=C(C(=C(C(=C2O1)C)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C)OC(=O)C | 424.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.51.1264 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2012.11.001 https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200415199 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Chromones | |||||
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2,6,8-trimethylchromone | 179520 | Click to see | 220.22 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2012.11.001 https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200415199 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Dihydrofurans | |||||
| (1R,2E,6R,8S,11E)-3,8,12,16-tetramethyl-7,18-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.06,8]octadeca-2,11,15-triene | 54585297 | Click to see | 302.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones | |||||
| Sarcocrassocolide A | 70691856 | Click to see | 390.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sarcocrassocolide B | 70696020 | Click to see | 390.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids | |||||
| (2S)-8-[5-[(2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxo-2,3-dihydrochromen-2-yl]-2-methoxyphenyl]-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 25212229 | Click to see | 556.50 | unknown | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264561/ |
| 2-[3-[(2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-2,3-dihydrochromen-8-yl]-4-hydroxyphenyl]-5,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one | 162885689 | Click to see C1C(OC2=C(C(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=C(C=CC(=C3)C4=CC(=O)C5=C(C=C(C=C5O4)O)O)O)C6=CC=C(C=C6)O | 540.50 | unknown | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264561/ |
| 2-[3-[(2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-2,3-dihydrochromen-8-yl]-4-methoxyphenyl]-5,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one | 162871693 | Click to see | 554.50 | unknown | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264561/ |
| 2",3"-Dihydroamentoflavone | 14160646 | Click to see | 540.50 | unknown | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264561/ |
| 8-[5-[(2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxo-2,3-dihydrochromen-2-yl]-2-hydroxyphenyl]-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chromen-4-one | 44420106 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)C4=C(C=C(C5=C4OC(=CC5=O)C6=CC=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 540.50 | unknown | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264561/ |
| 8-[5-[(2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxo-2,3-dihydrochromen-2-yl]-2-methoxyphenyl]-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chromen-4-one | 25212228 | Click to see | 554.50 | unknown | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264561/ |
| Amentoflavone | 5281600 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)C4=C(C=CC(=C4)C5=CC(=O)C6=C(C=C(C=C6O5)O)O)O)O | 538.50 | unknown |
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264561/ https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200415199 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| 7-[4-(5,7-Dihydroxy-4-oxochromen-2-yl)phenoxy]-5,8-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chromen-4-one | 42607509 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)OC4=CC=C(C=C4)C5=CC(=O)C6=C(C=C(C=C6O5)O)O)O)O | 538.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hinokiflavone | 5281627 | Click to see | 538.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200415199 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Macrolides and analogues | |||||
| (1aS,4E,8E,10aR,13aR,14aS)-4,8,14a-trimethyl-11-methylene-1a,3,6,7,10,10a,11,13a,14,14a-decahydrooxireno(12,13)cyclotetradeca(1,2-b)furan-12(2H)-one | 643720 | Click to see | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,2E,6R,8R,11E)-3,8,12,16-tetramethyl-7,18-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.06,8]octadeca-2,11,15-trien-17-one | 101472593 | Click to see CC1=CCCC2(C(O2)CCC(=CC3C(=C(C(=O)O3)C)CC1)C)C | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,3R,5R,8E,12E,14S,15R)-14-hydroxy-5,9,13-trimethyl-18-methylidene-4,16-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.03,5]octadeca-8,12-dien-17-one | 21574172 | Click to see CC1=CCCC2(C(O2)CC3C(C(C(=CCC1)C)O)OC(=O)C3=C)C | 332.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,3R,5R,8E,12E,15S)-5,9,13-trimethyl-18-methylidene-4,16-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.03,5]octadeca-8,12-dien-17-one | 643718 | Click to see | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,3R,5R,8E,12E,15R)-3,8,12-trimethyl-16-methylidene-4,18-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.03,5]octadeca-8,12-dien-17-one | 11995175 | Click to see | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1R,3R,5R,8E,12E,14S,15R)-5,9,13-trimethyl-18-methylidene-17-oxo-4,16-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.03,5]octadeca-8,12-dien-14-yl] acetate | 21638415 | Click to see | 374.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 13-Acetoxysarcocrassolide | 21775908 | Click to see | 374.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Crassocolide F | 11995282 | Click to see | 374.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Crassocolide N | 54764414 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=CC2C(CC3C(O3)(C(=O)CC1)C)C(=C)C(=O)O2)C | 330.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Lobophytolide | 23425511 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=CCC2C(CC3(C(O3)CC1)C)OC(=O)C2=C)C | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sarcocrassocolide C | 46233394 | Click to see | 332.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sarcocrassocolide D | 46233452 | Click to see | 332.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sarcocrassolide | 643719 | Click to see | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |