Syn.: common polytrichum, common polytrichum, long moss, cuckoo moss, red moss, king's curls, cuckoo's belly.
Cuckoo flax or common polytrich is a perennial spore plant, a leafy green moss from the family Polytrichaceae. In folk medicine, the plant is endowed with diuretic, laxative and anti-inflammatory properties.
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In medicine
Kukushkin flax is not a pharmacopoeial plant and in official medicine is not used, but in folk medicine it is used as a diuretic, laxative, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory agent. Seed infusion cuckoo moss endowed with expectorant, emollient, enveloping, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Contraindications and side effects
U cuckoo flax There are no contraindications, but scientists warn that if taken for a long time in large doses, the plant can lead to general poisoning of the body. It is believed that the use of cuckoo flax may contribute to the development of diabetes.
In cosmetology
Infusion of cuckoo flax has a beneficial effect on the hair and scalp. It stimulates hair growth, fights baldness and has antiseborrheic properties.
In gardening
Gardeners use cuckoo flax not only as ornamental plant, but also as a way effective recovery soil acidity with its help.
In other areas
In Rus', kukushkin flax has been used since ancient times as insulation. They were used to lay logs during construction. This moss not only perfectly stored heat and provided air exchange, but also absorbed excess moisture on rainy days and gave it away on dry days. Also, due to its bactericidal properties, cuckoo flax prevented mold from developing, preventing the wood from rotting. Therefore, moss is still used as an inter-crown compound in the construction of log houses, although it has low elasticity compared to the latest materials.
Classification
Kukushkin flax (lat. Polytrichum commune) is a genus of leafy green mosses, perennials from the family Polytrichum (lat. Polytrichum), division mossy (lat. Bryophyta). The genus includes about a hundred species, the most famous of which is cuckoo flax (lat. Polytrichum commune L.). In addition to it, cuckoo hair flax (lat. Polytrichum piliferum Schreb.) and cuckoo juniper flax (lat. Polytrichum juniperum Willd) are often found. In total, 13 species of cuckoo flax grow in Russia.
Botanical description
Kukushkin flax is a green, leafy, perennial moss, quite large for this type of plant. In the lower part of polytrichum there are primitive analogues of roots - rhizoids. Initially, cuckoo flax develops a horizontal primary stem, without leaves. Then a secondary one appears, erect, with narrow and long, dark green leaves arranged in a spiral, covering the entire plant. Each leaf has an assimilation plate and a large main vein. Lower leaves take the form of scales. The secondary stem of cuckoo flax can be either branched or simple.
Polytrichus vulgaris - dioecious plant. On some of its shoots antheridia (male genital organs) develop, on others - archegonia (female). Fertilization of cuckoo flax cannot occur without water. Polytrich grows in dense turf and rainwater or abundant dew, flowing down, helps sperm find their way to female eggs. From the fertilized egg, a new plant is obtained - a sporophyte. On the “leg” of cuckoo flax, a capsule grows - a sporangium - a special organ in which plant spores mature. When the spores ripen, the cap falls off the capsule and they are carried away by the wind. Getting into favorable conditions, the spores germinate and begin from a thin thread of the primary stem new life cuckoo flax.
Spreading
Cuckoo flax can be found in the boreal zone of temperate latitudes of the northern hemisphere, as well as in Mexico, on several islands in the Pacific Ocean, including New Zealand, and also in Australia. Common cuckoo flax moss prefers to grow on the outskirts of swamps in coniferous forests. Kukushkin juniper flax prefers pine groves and grows in clearings. Cuckoo hair flax, the shortest of all types of this moss, can be found on dry soil and open spaces.
Regions of distribution on the map of Russia.
Procurement of raw materials
Cuckoo flax can be collected all summer, but for medicinal purposes it is preferable to harvest it at the very end of the season, when the spore seeds ripen. The plant is dried in the shade or in a ventilated area, spread on cloth or paper. Having collected the stems, the seeds are collected from the substrate.
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of cuckoo flax is considered poorly understood. Perhaps this is why the plant is not used in official medicine. It is possible that the expansion scientific knowledge about cuckoo flax will lead to its inclusion in the number of pharmacopoeial plants. In the meantime, it is known that the stems and seeds of cuckoo flax contain essential oil, resinous substances and glycoside.
Pharmacological properties
Medicinal properties cuckoo flax have not been the subject of serious scientific research and have not been confirmed by experiments or clinical trials. Because the chemical composition Since the plant has been little studied, based on the available data we can only confidently assert that cuckoo flax can act as a laxative, effectively combating constipation. As a diuretic, the plant can be beneficial for edema, dropsy, and kidney stones.
Use in folk medicine
In folk medicine, infusions and decoctions of cuckoo flax are recommended to be drunk for constipation and kidney stones, for dropsy and edema, for severe cough, bronchitis and pneumonia. Cuckoo flax tea is considered a healing remedy for pain from stomach colic and cholelithiasis. It is recommended to drink this drink to improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract. In homeopathy, cuckoo flax is used for hemorrhoids, menstrual pain, bronchitis and diarrhea.
Cuckoo flax seeds are brewed as an expectorant and enveloping agent. This decoction can also act as a laxative. Herbalists believe that an infusion of cuckoo flax seeds can help treat nervous diseases, oliguria, gonorrhea and dysmenorrhea. Powder from crushed seeds is used externally as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Historical reference
Cuckoo flax moss received its unusual name for two reasons. Firstly, its elongated stems really look like fiber flax, and secondly, its variegated boxes resemble the speckled wings of a cuckoo. Beneficial features cuckoo flax like construction insulation have been known for a long time. Many Russian monuments wooden architecture It is cuckoo flax that is stored in its crevices. In villages, moss was often used for uterine bleeding. To do this, the plant decoction was boiled, diluted with red wine and drunk, sweetened with honey. This same drink was considered effective means from “stabbing in the chest.”
Literature
1. Zalesova E. N., Petrovskaya O. V. “Complete Russian illustrated dictionary-herbal and flower garden”, published by A.A. Kaspari, St. Petersburg, 1898 - 278 p.
2. " Modern encyclopedia medicinal plants", Compiled by: Vladimir Preobrazhensky, Baro-Press, Moscow, 2001 - 128 p.
Kukushkin flax belongs to the genus of green leafy mosses, and currently several dozen species are known that can be found anywhere in the world.
Most often, cuckoo flax is found in the form of individual cushion-shaped areas of turf, which can grow in forests, meadows, swamps, tundra or mountainous areas. Usually these are remote areas or corners wildlife.
By its nature, cuckoo flax represents moss, despite the name, which may be misleading. It forms a thick and green covering of soil, which undoubtedly beautifies any site. This increasingly leads to the desire to decorate the landscape of the dacha and country houses using this plant. But we must not forget that this plant leads to waterlogging and the formation of peat.
The structure of cuckoo flax
The most common in our country is common cuckoo flax. It grows in open, illuminated areas where there is high humidity. This plant forms a thick, dense carpet on the ground, which prevents the evaporation of water from the soil and also prevents other plants from growing. This feature of cuckoo flax leads to waterlogging of the area.
Cuckoo flax looks like a small (about 20 cm) plant of a brown-green hue, without branches. On its stem, upon closer inspection, you can see a large number of thin and narrow leaves with a longitudinal vein. Moss maintains its stability with the help of rhizoids, which act as a root system and absorb minerals from the soil.
The nutrition received by the rhizoids from the soil is delivered to the leaves along the stem, which also serves as a support. Cells serve as conductors through which water containing mineral and organic substances moves.
The leaves of this plant have rows of cells, the main task of which is photosynthesis and the absorption of organic substances. In addition, the leaves of this moss can absorb water.
Reproduction methods
Kukushkin flax reproduces in two ways, which can alternate:
- gametes (sexual);
- using shoots or spores (asexual).
The structure of cuckoo flax also explains the characteristics of reproduction. This plant produces spores located on a stalk in a capsule (sporangium).
After ripening occurs, they are poured onto the soil.
If favorable factors exist, a multicellular filament is formed from the spores, from which several gametophytes subsequently appear by budding.
They are a perennial green shoot that already has leaves and a kind of root system - rhizoids that absorb salts in the soil.
The synthesis of other substances necessary for growth is provided by leaf cells. After some time, the growth of the gametophyte stops. This process of reproduction is called asexual. In other words, the plant reproduces using spores.
After this, the process of sexual reproduction of this type of moss begins. In the plant, in the rosette of leaves located at the top of the stem, genital organs begin to form:
- in the first case, they represent the female genital organs - archegonia, which contribute to the appearance of a stationary gamete - the egg;
- The male organs of the plant are called antheridia, which means “blooming” in Greek. They develop mobile gametes, or sperm.
The difference between male and female shoots is the presence of yellow-brown leaves. The actual fusion of sperm with the egg occurs in rainy weather. Only then are the male cells able to move. After the fertilization process is completed, a zygote begins to form.
The second stage of plant development occurs in the next summer season. A capsule (sporogon) is formed from the zygote. It is located on the stem of the plant, and subsequently becomes the site of spore formation. After the cap falls off the box, the spores contained in it fall out onto the soil when the stem sways. In the future, you can see how a pre-growth sprouts from them, which is a branched green thread.
For cuckoo flax to develop, it is necessary for the spores to be in favorable environment, only in this case the soil will be covered with a thick green carpet.
It is important to understand that sexual and asexual reproduction in this moss species are inextricably linked. Kukushkin flax has a rather unusual structure. This leads to peculiarities in the reproduction process.
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For schoolchildren 5 6 7 class.What is the difference between sphagnum moss and cuckoo flax. differences, what's common.
Sphagnum (also called white moss) and cuckoo flax (long moss) are representatives of bryophytes belonging to different classes: Leaf mosses and sphagnum mosses, respectively.
Photo: Kukushkin moss flax and sphagnum in the forest
They live in reclaimed places, cuckoo flax mainly under the forest canopy, sphagnum both in the forest and in swamps, depending on the species. Swamp sphagnum can also grow on the surface of the water, due to this, rafting can form on the shores of swampy reservoirs - a floating plant carpet, or floating islands.
spruce forests forming plant communities with sprouts of cuckoo flax (long moss) are called long-moss spruce forests
Structure: Cuckoo flax and sphagnum are quite large mosses, the size of both can reach 15-20 centimeters (the size of other bryophytes may not exceed a few millimeters).
Both mosses do not have real roots like higher plants; instead of roots, Kukushkin flax has rhizoids that hold it on the substrate and perform the function of absorbing moisture; sphagnum, on the other hand, has neither roots nor rhizoids; it absorbs moisture with its entire surface. The lower part gradually dies off over time, forming peat, while the upper part constantly grows.
The stem of cuckoo flax is straight, not branched, covered with many leaves with a central rib. Sphagnum has a branched stem, the branches are arranged in whorls, the stem is densely covered with small, spirally arranged leaves without a central rib.
Both mosses reproduce by spores, forming spore boxes called sporangia.
In addition to sexual reproduction by spores, mosses can reproduce vegetatively: a piece of a stem or leaf can form a new plant.
The stems of cuckoo flax have a primitive conducting system formed by elongated cells connected to each other. Sphagnum does not have a specialized conducting system, but sphagnum can absorb large amounts of water, due to the fact that it consists of 2 types of cells: narrow mesh-connected green living cells, and large hollow dead cells located between them in which water accumulates.
Economic importance: Cuckoo flax is used in landscape design, the fiber is used to compose soil mixtures for orchids and some rare ornamental plants. Sphagnum forms peat, which is an irreplaceable product. peat is both a fossil fuel and a raw material for the chemical industry. Peat is also used as a soil mixture for vegetable growing and floriculture. In addition, sphagnum and cuckoo flax have long been used in Rus' as insulation material during construction wooden huts and log houses
Meaning in nature: Both mosses are primary soil formers - cuckoo flax produces so-called coarse humus, and sphagnum forms peat. Thickets of cuckoo flax and sphagnum are capable of retaining large amounts of moisture, cuckoo flax due to the dense foliage and closeness of the turf, and sphagnum also due to its porous structure
By retaining precipitation, such thickets balance the water regime of rivers. Sometimes contribute to waterlogging of forest soils
In the tundra zone, the moss cover of cuckoo flax, along with the moss lichen, is eaten by deer.
COMPARISON TABLE
| Sphagnum | Kukushkin flax | Marchantia | |
| Class | Sphagnum mosses | Leaf mosses | Liver mosses (Liverworts) |
| Habitat | In the swamps and forests | In the forest. In burnt areas, in clearings | In the forest. In waterlogged meadows |
| Attachment to the soil | There are no roots at all. as it grows, the lower part of the stem dies and becomes peaty | there are no roots, instead there are rhizoids | rhizoids on the lower side of the thallus |
| Stem | straight with branches | straight line does not branch | instead of a stem there is a horizontal flat thallus (thallus). dichotomous branching |
| Leaves | simple triangular, from one layer of cells, on the stem and branches are different. |
triangular, from one layer of cells, identical. there are central ribs | no leaves |
| Conducting system | absent. there are dead hollow cells that absorb water | primitive. from special cells | absent |
| Reproduction | spores and vegetatively (plant parts) | spores and vegetatively | spores and vegetatively |
| Meaning | forms peat. sometimes causes waterlogging of forests, used for insulation |
fiber is used for soil mixtures, participates in the overgrowth of forest burnt areas and cutting areas, used for insulation |
not in demand on the farm, in nature it is a soil-forming agent, some invertebrates feed |
Additionally: The science that studies bryophytes is called Bryology.
Grows in New Zealand
Kukushkin flax, or polytrichum, is a plant from a type of moss. It is found in wet meadows, swamps, and forests in central and northern Russia. If you look closely, its stems, covered with dense green leaves, resemble tiny flax sprouts. Used as interventional insulation V wooden houses.
Description of the cuckoo flax plant
Polytrichum usually grows to 10−15 cm in height. But if the conditions suit it, it can stretch up to 40 cm. For this, moist soils of spruce forests and swampy plains are needed. There is plenty of room for moss here, and it stretches upward because, like other plants, it loves the sun. He aggressively takes over wet places, covering the ground with a pillow, where it will be difficult for another species to germinate. This plant especially loves forest clearings and fires. Spreading densely in the forest, it swamps areas and interferes with forest restoration.
Kukushkin flax grows in damp, swampy places
People call this flax “iron ore” for its strength and “red moss” for the color of the stems. It has performed its function of insulating houses flawlessly for decades.
In its structure, it is a phyllostem with primitive root primordia - rhizoids, through which the plant absorbs water and mineral salts. It can also absorb water with its other parts. The lower leaves of the plant look like scales. The remaining leaves are narrow, with teeth at the ends. Photosynthesis occurs in them - the conversion of light energy into chemical vital energy.
Life cycle and reproduction of cuckoo flax
This type of plant is classified as dioecious. This means that female and male reproductive cells develop on different plants. Male plants have brownish upper leaves. Here male gametes - spermatozoa - are formed. Female plants have all the same leaves. At the same time, at the top of the plant are female gametes - eggs.
Water is required for fertilization. Only during rains or heavy growth do sperm move to the female gametes, and the fusion of the feminine and masculine principles occurs. A zygote is formed - a cell with a double set of chromosomes, capable of giving rise to a new generation.
When colonizing new areas with disturbed soil composition - fires, for example, mosses accumulate moisture. After dying, they give rise to the formation of new soil
From the zygote a new sporophyte plant appears with a sporangium - a box with a lid in which spores mature. When they ripen, the lid opens and the spores spill out. Once in moist soil, the spore germinates and produces buds. New leafy plants emerge from them.
Despite the appearance modern materials for insulation, this type of moss has still not lost its relevance and perfectly performs the function of heat preservation and insulation. Great importance have mosses in the formation of peat and new soils.
Insulation wooden house is of mandatory and key importance, since the loss of thermal insulation in its walls can be terrifying, leading to large monetary costs for heating. Accordingly, in order to avoid this, insulation is laid between the crowns of a wooden house, in the role of which Kukushkin flax moss is often used. There is a lot of information about how useful this moss is, what properties it is famous for, where and how it is used. But, at the same time, few people know where cuckoo moss grows.
Actually, this is what we will talk about in this article.
Where does cuckoo flax grow?
Let's consider, first of all, our country. In our country, which occupies almost half of the entire globe, cuckoo flax can be found in almost any area. As a rule, it is most often found in forests and tundra with high humidity, in swamps and even meadows. For those who have never encountered this, we note that this plant is a stem, on the surface of which there are leaves that have sufficient high density. The approximate dimensions of this moss are 30-45 cm (depending on the place where it grows). This structure of the leaves, which have fairly high elasticity, as well as the ability to form turf, are responsible for the ability of this flax to absorb moisture well. This, during operation, allows it to absorb moisture without collapsing, but, on the contrary, quickly drying out at the first rays of the sun. As a rule, this moss is very easy to distinguish by color. Sphagnum, for example, always has light green leaves. Kukushkin flax, in turn, is always green.
Where is cuckoo flax used?
In the northern regions of our country, the tribal population uses cuckoo flax in medicinal purposes. It is applied to an open wound, burn or simple scratch. This is done because moss has antiseptic properties, thanks to which it can disinfect the affected areas. In addition, this natural plant is also used in global medicine. For example, shampoos are made from it, which later position themselves as good remedy against hair loss.
To summarize, we note that the large scope of application of this moss, in those areas where it grows, allows it to be a completely free and publicly available product that can be used not only in the construction industry, but also in everyday life.
But still, the main purpose of cuckoo flax moss is to use it as