Family: Equisetaceae
common horsetail, field horsetail
[Equisetum arvense f. alpestre L., more...]
Matthew L. Wagner
Robert W. Freckmann
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Equisetum: Latin for "horsetail" from equus, "horse," and seta, "bristle"
Plants: perennial fern ally
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: perennial fern ally
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Our most common species of Equisetum, growing in a wide range of habitats, including cultivated and weedy fields, open woodlands, pastures, roadsides, railroad ballast, sand dunes, sedge meadows, wet prairies, marshes, riverbanks, gardens, etc. Soft pale to brown fertile shoots appear in early spring. They are unbranched, lack stomates, and bear a terminal cone. Sterile shoots emerge typically in May as fertile shoots shed their spores and die. The branches of sterile shoots have 3 or 4 sides and form regular ascending whorls. The branches rarely have secondary branches.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 1, Wetland Indicator = FAC Invasive And Exotic Species of North America: Descriptions, management issues, warnings, photos, etc. Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Fern & Fern Allies: Photos, descriptions, information Purple Sage - Ethnobotanical Information: Detailed usage, preparation, and other helpful information Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Robert W. Freckmann
Josh Sulman
Christopher Noll
Josh Sulman
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Michael Clayton
Robert W. Freckmann
Botanical Illustration
Botanical Illustration
