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Club moss, also known as Wolf's Claw, Ground Pine,
Staghorn and Foxtail,
is an ancient plant that evolved from giant specimens that inhabited
primeval forests millions of years ago. It is not a true moss, however,
but is a member of the fern tribe and reproduces by sending out spores.
In the early days of photography, club moss spores, which contain a
highly flammable oil, were used to make flash powder. The spores were
also used by stage managers to create dramatic lighting effects in live
theater. In these professions, the herb was usually referred to as
vegetable sulfur.
Today, a powder prepared from club moss spores is used in the
pharmaceutical industry to coat tablets to protect them from moisture.
The water-resistant properties of this powder are also put to use in the
manufacture of highly combustible materials, such as explosives and
fireworks.